Professional armadillo removal costs $175 to $500, with most homeowners paying around $250. Armadillos dig for grubs and insects, leaving holes and uprooted plants across lawns and gardens. Here is what removal costs and what drives the price.
- Armadillo removal costs $175 to $500, averaging about $250.
- Armadillos are solitary, so a single capture often solves the problem.
- They do not respond to bait, so removal is mostly trapping and exclusion.
- Exclusion barriers keep new armadillos from digging in the same spot.
Why Armadillos Cost What They Do
Armadillos dig for worms, grubs, and insects, which is why they tear up lawns and gardens. They do not respond to bait the way other animals do, so removal relies on traps placed along their travel routes and fencing to direct them into the trap.
Most armadillos are solitary, so capturing one usually ends the problem. The main cost is the trap setup and the labor to monitor and remove the animal.
Typical Cost Breakdown
| Service | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Inspection and trap setup | $100 to $250 |
| Capture and removal | $100 to $175 per trip |
| Exclusion barrier | $25 to $30 per linear foot |
| Total typical job | $250 to $450 |
Some companies charge a flat inspection and trap fee plus a per-trip charge for removal, while others quote the whole job as one price. A typical complete job lands around $250 to $450. If you want a number for your own job before calling anyone, my cost calculator turns these ranges into an estimate in 30 seconds.
What Drives the Price
Property size. A larger property means more ground to cover and more possible burrows to check.
Number of armadillos. Most are solitary, but when several are present, each capture adds labor.
Access. Armadillos that have burrowed under a porch or foundation are harder to reach and cost more than one in an open yard.
Exclusion Matters
Armadillos dig, and they often dig under fences and porches. After removal, an exclusion barrier is what keeps a new armadillo from moving into the same territory. Barriers run about $25 to $30 per linear foot and are worth it, since a new armadillo can smell where another dug and will target the same spot.
Armadillos do not respond to bait, so be wary of any service that promises a bait-based solution. Lawn treatments and repellents are largely ineffective against armadillos; the reliable method is capture and exclusion. Ask for an itemized quote that separates trapping from exclusion.
DIY vs. Professional Removal
Armadillo trapping is harder than it looks. They do not respond to bait, so you must place traps along travel routes and use fencing to funnel them in. For most homeowners, professional removal at $175 to $500 is the faster, more reliable option.
When to Call a Professional
Call a pro when armadillos are burrowing near the foundation, when several are present, or when you have tried DIY without success. A professional can trap the animal, remove it humanely, and install an exclusion barrier so the problem does not return.
Frequently Asked Questions
Professional armadillo removal costs $175 to $500, averaging about $250. The price depends on property size, the number of armadillos, and access.
No. Armadillos dig for grubs and insects and do not respond to bait the way other animals do. Removal relies on traps placed along travel routes and fencing to direct them in.
Armadillos are not aggressive and rarely interact with people. The main concern is the damage they do digging for food, and the risk of burrows near foundations. They can also carry leprosy bacteria in rare cases, though transmission to humans is very uncommon.
Install an exclusion barrier buried at the fence line or foundation, and reduce the grub population in your lawn. A new armadillo targets the same spots another dug, so the barrier is the key step.
It is possible but difficult, since armadillos do not respond to bait. You need to place traps along travel routes and use fencing to funnel them in. Most homeowners are better off hiring a pro.
