How To Get Rid Of Armadillos Under Deck

If you’ve noticed digging and damage under your deck, you might be dealing with an armadillo. Finding out how to get rid of armadillos under deck is a common challenge for homeowners. These armored critters are excellent diggers, and the sheltered space under a deck is perfect for them to create a burrow. Don’t worry, though. With some patience and the right approach, you can encourage them to leave and protect your yard.

This guide will walk you through simple, effective methods. We’ll cover why they chose your deck, how to safely make them leave, and how to keep them from coming back. Let’s get started.

This is your main action plan. The goal is to make the area under your deck so unappealing that the armadillo decides to move on its own. Always remember that armadillos are wild animals. Avoid direct confrontation. The process involves three key steps: eviction, exclusion, and prevention.

Why Armadillos Love Your Deck

Understanding their behavior is the first step to solving the problem. Armadillos are looking for three main things:

Shelter: The area under a deck is dark, protected from rain, and rarely disturbed. It’s a ready-made roof for a burrow.
Soft Soil: They need loose, easy-to-dig soil to create their dens. The ground under decks is often perfect.
Food Access: Armadillos eat insects, grubs, and worms. Your lawn and garden are likely a rich buffet for them.

Step 1: Confirm the Armadillo’s Activity

Before you begin, make sure an armadillo is your culprit. Look for these signs:

Shallow holes or divots in your lawn, about 1-3 inches wide and a few inches deep.
Distinct 3-toed tracks in soft soil.
Evidence of digging directly along the deck’s edge or under it.
Damage to low-hanging plants or garden beds nearby.

Step 2: Encourage Them to Leave (Eviction)

Now, make the current den uncomfortable. You’ll want to combine a couple of these tactics for best results.

Remove Their Food Source

This is a crucial long-term step. Treat your lawn for grubs and insects. You can use milky spore for grubs or a general insecticide. A healthier, insect-free lawn is less attractive. This alone can convince them to look elsewhere for meals.

Use Repellents

Armadillos have a keen sense of smell. You can use this to your advantage.

Commercial Repellents: Look for granular or liquid repellents containing castor oil. These make the soil taste and smell bad.
Homemade Solutions: A spray of cayenne pepper, garlic, and water around the deck perimeter can help. Reapply after rain.
Strong Scents: Place rags soaked in vinegar or strong-scented dryer sheets near the entrance. Mothballs are sometimes suggested, but use caution as they are toxic to pets and wildlife.

Introduce Disturbances

Armadillos prefer quite, undisturbed places. Create noise and light.

Place a loud radio under the deck (sealed in a plastic bag) during the day when they are sleeping.
Use a motion-activated light or sprinkler pointed at the deck entrance. The sudden light or spray of water will startle them.

Step 3: Block Their Return (Exclusion)

Once you’re sure the armadillo has left, you must seal the area. This is the most important step to prevent a new visitor.

Wait for Vacancy: Sprinkle flour or sand at the burrow entrance. If tracks don’t appear for 2-3 nights, it’s likely empty.
Dig a Trench: Dig a narrow trench, about 6 inches deep, along the entire length of the deck where it meets the ground.
Install Hardware Cloth: Bend a piece of 1/4-inch hardware cloth into an L-shape. The vertical side should run down the deck siding, and the horizontal leg should extend out into the trench.
Secure and Backfill: Attach the vertical side to the deck’s frame securely. Fill the trench with rocks or packed soil to hold the bottom edge down. This creates a barrier they cannot dig under.

Step 4: Make Your Yard Less Inviting (Prevention)

Keep your property armadillo-proof long-term.

Keep your lawn well-trimmed and clear of dense brush piles.
Remove other potential shelters like wood piles or debris near the deck.
Continue to manage insect populations in your soil.
Install low fencing around gardens if armadillos are a persistent issue in your neighborhood.

What Not to Do

Avoid these common mistakes. They are ineffective or can cause more problems.

Do Not Trap and Relocate without checking local laws. In many areas, it’s illegal to relocate wildlife without a permit, and it often just moves the problem.
Do Not Use Poison. It’s dangerous for pets, children, and other wildlife. It also doesn’t solve the root issue.
Do Not Seal the Entrance while an animal is still inside. This is cruel and leads to a worse situation.
Avoid just filling the hole with dirt. They will easily dig it right back out if they want to.

When to Call a Professional

Sometimes, DIY methods aren’t enough. Consider calling a licensed wildlife control expert if:

The armadillo is persistent and won’t leave despite your efforts.
You suspect there are babies (pups are usually born in spring).
You are uncomfortable performing the exclusion work yourself.
The problem keeps reoccuring and you need a permenant solution.

FAQ: Common Questions About Armadillos

Are armadillos dangerous?

They are not aggressive, but they can carry diseases like leprosy (though the risk to humans is very low). Their primary defense is to jump straight up when startled, which can surprise you. It’s best to observe them from a distance.

What time of day are armadillos most active?

Armadillos are primarily nocturnal. They forage for food at night and sleep in their burrows during the day. You’ll most likely see signs of damage in the morning.

Will a fence keep armadillos out?

A standard fence often won’t, as they are excellent diggers. To be effective, a fence needs to extend at least 12-18 inches underground or have an outward-facing L-shaped footer at the bottom to block digging.

What’s the best armadillo repellent?

Castor oil-based repellents are generally considered the most effective for altering the taste and smell of the soil. Consistency and reapplication after rain are key for any repellent to work well.

How many armadillos live in one burrow?

Typically, one adult armadillo inhabits a burrow. The execption is a female with her young, who will stay with her for several months. If you see multiple, it’s likely a mother and her pups.

Dealing with an armadillo under your deck can be frustrating, but it’s a solvable problem. The key is a methodical approach: encourage the current resident to leave, then physically block access for good. By removing their food and shelter, you make your yard a place they simply pass through, not a place they call home. Start with the simplest repellents and disturbances, and move to physical exclusion for a lasting fix. With these steps, you can reclaim the space under your deck and enjoy a peaceful garden once again.