The Best Way to Get Rid of Armadillos

Armadillos sniff out grubs and worms in soil and dig them up.

They also dig burrows in the ground where they nurse their young.These animals are more of a nuisance than a threat but there are a few ways to remove armadillos from your property if they become a problem.

1. Insert a garden hose in an active armadillo burrow and turn the water on. If the armadillo is in the hole at the time the water will flush him out. Armadillo burrows are long, circular-shaped tunnels about 7 to 8 inches wide, with many entry holes; they are typically found under brush piles, concrete patios and rock piles.

2. Place a live mammal trap in front of an active armadillo burrow. Create a tunnel leading to the trap by laying two boards straight out in front of the cage on both sides of the door. Armadillos have poor eyesight and will likely follow the tunnel and walk right into the trap.

3. Scatter strands of human hair around your yard. Armadillos have a strong sense of smell and the scent of a predator such as a human will deter the armadillo from returning.

4. Place a foul smelling material around your yard. Mothballs or rags soaked in vinegar, alcohol or ammonia are too strong for an armadillo's sensitive nose and will repel him from the area.

5. Build a low-voltage electric fence around your yard. String the wire for the electric fence low enough to the ground for the armadillo to touch it. Keep the fence on a low-voltage setting strong enough to shock the animal but not enough to kill it.

6. Place a small piece of wire mesh over an armadillo burrow. Drive stakes into all but one corner of the mesh so that the armadillo can push its way out of the burrow but can't get back in.

7. Fill in an empty armadillo burrow to prevent the armadillo from returning. Monitor the burrow for activity for a few days until you are certain the animal is gone. Then fill in the opening of the burrow with soil or gravel.