- LAST UPDATED: July 16, 2024
Armadillos create problems for homeowners’ yards, landscaping, gardens, and foundations. They dig holes to eat subterranean insects and make extensive burrows. Furthermore, they leave behind very smelly poop near these sites. While uncommon, their inch-long droppings can carry rabies and the bacteria that causes leprosy.
Read on to learn more about armadillo poop and what you can do about it.
What To Know About Armadillo Poop
If you come across feces in your yard, it is important to identify it properly. This is so you know what kind of pest you have and methods that can be used to get rid of it. Armadillo droppings have certain characteristics that you can look for.
What It Looks Like
The armadillo’s poop is pellet log-shaped, about 1 inch long with an uneven texture. Armadillos eat a large number of insects and larvae such as termites, beetles, and scorpions. They also eat small amounts of roots, seeds, berries, and so on. Their feces will have indigestible parts of these foods in them.
This makes the color and texture of the feces vary. You may also notice bits of twigs, soil, and other debris in the poop since armadillos dig often to get their food. They eat the debris with the food source.
Where They Leave It
Armadillos are primarily found in the southeastern United States such as Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, Alabama, Kansas, and Florida. While they may be found in states adjacent to these, they are not found in cold areas because they are not built to thrive there. So you are unlikely to see armadillo scat outside of these areas in the wild. They do not have enough body fat or hair to keep them warm.
Armadillos leave their scat around their burrows, hiding places (thick brush or tall grasses), and near foraging sites. Armadillos also often bury their feces making it harder to find. It may also be seen in the pits that they leave behind from their foraging efforts.
However, you may smell armadillo poop before you see it. People often describe the odor of their feces as offensive, nauseating, and nasty.
Health Concerns
Armadillos can carry rabies, which can be fatal if not treated. They also can carry the bacteria that causes leprosy (Hansen’s Disease). While many people have a natural immunity to leprosy and the overall risk may be low, people should avoid direct contact with these creatures, including their feces.
These animals also leave behind pits and holes which can pose trip hazards in yards and gardens.
Other Signs Of Armadillo Presence
In addition to stinky droppings, armadillos dig up gardens and yards, leaving pits behind. They can detect insects as deep as 7 feet down into the soil, meaning that they create significant holes. Generally, they create holes about 1 to 3 inches deep with a diameter of 5 inches. They may burrow or dig underneath foundations and porches, causing structures to shift. Pooling water and mud fill up in sunken areas.
How To Clean Up Armadillo Poop
Follow these steps to clean up armadillo poop:
- To get rid of armadillo poop, it is important to avoid direct contact with feces. Make sure you wear rubber gloves and a protective mask.
- Ideally, use a shovel or spade to scoop up the scat instead of your hands. Take care not to step in the feces or you will need to disinfect your shoes.
- Dispose of the feces in a tied-up plastic bag. Disinfect the garden tool using bleach according to its instructional label.
- Discard your PPE in a covered container or sealed plastic bag as well. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
- Take steps to get armadillos off of your property so their droppings do not become a constant issue (as described below).
DIY Armadillo Deterrents
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There are several methods you can try to deter armadillos without coming into direct contact with them. Ideally, you want to make your property less than ideal for them to burrow and forage.
- Use Vinegar: Armadillos find the smell of vinegar offensive and it covers up the scent of food sources. Our How To Use Vinegar To Get Rid Of Armadillos guide can help you find solutions that work for you by using a spray, filled (uncovered) bowls, or soaked cotton balls or rags.
- Pine Mulch: The scent of pine is another deterrent against armadillos. Gardeners often use pine mulch about 3 inches thick to keep armadillos from digging in their garden’s soft dirt.
- Tidy The Yard: Trim thick brush and tall grasses to eliminate hiding spots. Thin out landscaping and remove piles of wood and debris.
- Get Rid Of Pooling Areas: Use topsoil to fill in any pooling areas, holes, and other uneven surfaces. Insects love water, so armadillos are more attracted to these spots to get a fulfilling meal.
- Install A Fence: A physical barrier is very effective at keeping armadillos out; however, it is an expensive option. Armadillos can jump up to 5 feet high and burrow, so fences must be at least 24 inches deep and the top should be angled.
If your efforts do not get rid of armadillos, it may be time to call in a professional. They can use a live trap to catch and release the pest somewhere else away from your home.
Conclusion
Armadillo poop is a stinky matter. It is important to remember that you should avoid direct contact with an armadillo and its feces. Their scat appears as 1-inch-long pellets with bits of undigested foods, soil, and debris in them. Feces should be scooped into a plastic bag and tied up before being discarded. Any tools used to scoop and discard this waste should be disinfected, including the bottoms of your shoes if necessary.
Take action to deter armadillos from your yard, or they will continue to defecate on your property. This includes eliminating thick scrubs and hiding spots and pooling areas of water. Vinegar and pine smells can help deter them as well. If all else fails, professional pest control services can assist you.
