Armadillo Damage Prevention and Control Methods

Identification | Biology | Damage ID | Management | Handling

Overview of Damage Prevention and Control Methods

Habitat Modification

  • Remove brush and other ground cover  
  • Use soil insecticides to reduce damage to grass

Exclusion

  • Install a 3-foot-high fence slanted outward at a 40angle to prevent climbing 

Frightening

  • None effective 

Repellents

  • None successful

Toxicants

  • None available

Shooting

  • Spotlight and shoot at night where legal 

Trapping

  • Cage or box traps  
  • single-door (10 x 12 x 32 inches) 
  • double-door (10 x 12 x 48 inches) 
  • Body-gripping traps- No. 220 
  • Foothold traps- Nos. 1 to 2.  
  • Cable-restraints 

Other Control Methods

  • Hand nets

Damage Prevention and Control Methods

Habitat Modification

Armadillos prefer to dig burrows in areas with cover. Remove brush to discourage armadillos from becoming established.

Control of soil‐borne insects by the use of insecticides may reduce damage in turfgrass. Follow pesticide labels carefully to increase effectiveness and reduce threats to non‐target animals.

Exclusion

Protect the eggs of poultry through proper housing or fences. Fences or barriers may exclude armadillos under certain conditions. Bury the fence 12 to 18 inches (deeper for sandy soil) and extend it at least 3 feet high. Slant the aboveground portion outward at an angle of 40o to prevent climbing.

Frightening Devices

No frightening devices are known to effectively control armadillos.

Repellents

No repellents are registered for the control of armadillos.

Toxicants

None are registered.

Shooting

Armadillos that cause damage may be shot where it is legal to discharge a firearm. Recommended firearms are a shotgun with No. 4 to BB‐sized shot or .22 caliber rifle. In some states it may be illegal to use artificial lights to aid in the shooting of armadillos at night. Check state and local laws.

Trapping

Cage Traps

Armadillos can be captured in single‐door cage or box traps (10 x 12 x 32 inches) and 2‐door cage or box traps (10 x 12 x 48 inches). Set traps along pathways to burrows and along fences or other barriers where armadillos may travel. Enhance the effectiveness of traps by using “wings” of 1‐ x 4‐inch or 1‐ x 6‐inch boards 6 feet long, which help funnel the animal into the trap.

Armadillos can destroy traps that are poorly constructed. Only use traps that are professionally manufactured when trapping armadillos.

Wings draw animal into a 2-door cage trap. Photo by Tomahawk Live Trap Co.

Body-gripping Traps

Number 220 Conibear® traps can be placed at burrow entrances to improve the selectivity of traps. Avoid placing body‐gripping traps in burrows used by non‐target animals. Some states restrict the size of Conibear® traps that can be set on land, and the use of Conibear® traps in suburban areas.

Foothold Traps

No. 1 or 2 foothold traps can be placed in runways and entrances to burrows. Securely stake the traps with a stake that is 18 inches or longer, or 2 shorter double‐crossed stakes.

Cable-restraints

A 1/8‐inch cable‐restraint positioned in front of dens can capture armadillos. Dogs that have been specially trained may be effective in identifying active burrows. Anchor restraints to trees, stakes, or other solid objects. Armadillos that are captured may tear up the landscape. Cable‐restraints are illegal in some states.

Other Control Methods

An armadillo can be captured with a hand‐held fishnet.