Armadillos are invading GA yards right now. Here’s how to keep them away for good

If you’ve seen armadillos roaming lately, you’re not alone.

Armadillos are most active between June and August, when warmer temperatures rise and insects start to buzz around.

So, if you start to see holes around your yard, it may be due to an armadillo takeover. And if you’ve seen the creatures around, you’ll know you’ve got a problem.

So, how do you identify one and how can you keep them away? Here’s what to know:

How to identify an armadillo

“With its scaly armor, pointy ears, elongated snout, and curved claws, the armadillo is undeniably odd-looking,” said Arricca Elin SanSone with Southern Living.

In fact, they are in the same mammal family as anteaters and sloths, which are equally unique-looking animals.

If you haven’t seen the culprit itself, but notice unusual activity in your yard, here’s how to know if an armadillo has been around:

According to Havahart, here’s how to tell if one has been around:

• If you notice holes throughout lawn, about 3-5” wide and about 1-3” deep
• Uprooted plants and seedlings
• Burrows next to or underneath structures, sidewalks, brush piles, low-lying shrubs, or other cover
• Damage to underground pipes and/or wires
• Cracks in sidewalks, driveways or building foundations as a result of burrowing

How to get rid of armadillos

Now that we’ve covered how to identify armadillos, here’s how to get rid of them and keep them away for good:

Experts with The Spruce blog recommend the following: “The best way to deter armadillos is to make your yard less inviting. Start by eliminating food sources that attract them.”

Of course, this may not be the only solution.

Southern Living writers also recommend these things:

• Get rid of brush piles
• Block entries to sheds, porches and decks
• Use a fence to keep them out

There are even certain scents that armadillos don’t like.

“Apply smells that the armadillos find unsavory. These include natural repellents like cayenne pepper, garlic, or castor oil,” said Michelle Mastro with The Spruce.

If none of this works, it might be time to call in a wildlife specialist for removal of the animal.

What tips do you have for keeping armadillos away? Let me know in the comments or email me at cmadden@mcclatchy.com

Chelsea Madden

The Telegraph

Chelsea is a service journalism reporter who began working for McClatchy in 2022. She was born and raised in Middle Georgia and lives in Forsyth. She attended Wesleyan College for undergrad and a few years after that, went to SCAD for an MFA in writing. Outside of work, Chelsea likes to watch Netflix, read books in the thriller genre and chase her toddler around.