Armadillos are mostly harmless creatures that prey on insects and plants. They have a distinct appearance and don’t seem very threatening.
However, armadillos can scare deer away in certain situations. This may happen if the deer is already frightened or on guard for some other reason and it sees or hears armadillos nearby.
Read on to discover more about how armadillos can frighten deer away and find out how you can attract them when armadillos are in the vicinity. Happy reading!
What Are Armadillos?
Armadillos are funny-looking animals and are recognized by the bony, armor-like structure on their bodies. They also have distinct, pointy snouts, upright ears, and tails. They can vary in size, from 6 inches to over 5 feet in length. Armadillos are only present in a handful of regions in the US, particularly southern states such as Texas.
These creatures aren’t dangerous to humans and most large animals, but they can become a nuisance if you have some in your area. Since they are burrowing animals, they can easily wreck up your garden or yard by digging numerous holes while hunting for insects. This can destroy plants, flowers, and vegetation.
Do Armadillos Scare Deer Away?
Armadillos usually don’t scare deer away, but they do tend to unsettle them. Since deer are quite sensitive to movement around them, a deer may run off after spotting or hearing an armadillo moving nearby.
Another reason deer may take off when armadillos are in the vicinity is if they’re already on the alert for something else.
Do Armadillos Affect Deer Hunting?
Yes, armadillos do have the potential to affect dear hunting.
If you’re out deer hunting, armadillos may scare off potential targets, making you wait longer for the next one. Armadillos are also quite loud and that can scare many animals away, not just deer, and can be a source of frustration for the hunter.
On the other hand, some hunters have reported having armadillos in the hunting zone and still being able to hunt deer successfully.
So, it mostly depends on the hunting environment, how frightened the potential target is, and how much noise armadillos make.
How to Deter Armadillos So They Don’t Scare off Deer
Deterring armadillos so they won’t scare off hunting targets is a task that might as well be impossible.
While it may be somewhat easy to prevent armadillos from wreaking havoc in your yard (discussed later), stopping them from frightening deer in an open hunting environment is an altogether different matter.
So, it is simply not possible and practical to use any deterring method in a hunting environment. A few things you can do, however, are to sprinkle castor oil or install traps at regular intervals near where you’re hunting. Although this can be difficult if you’re covering a large area, they can scare off armadillos.
Best Ways to Attract Deer When These Animals Are Around
As mentioned before, deer aren’t exactly scared of armadillos but may become unsettled in their presence. There are a few ways in which you can attract them when armadillos are around.
- Plant a food plot that has crops such as kale, peas, turnips, wheat, and oats. It’s also good if you have a water source near your food plot.
- Sprinkle the area with deer urine since deer are drawn to it.
- Make sure other animals such as dogs aren’t close to the hunting area.
We recommend using a deer attractant like this one from Amazon. There’s no mixing required with this formula. Simply place it on the ground to help attract deer.
Are Armadillos Dangerous to Other Animals?
Due to their small size, armadillos don’t usually scare off other animals. Moreover, they’re built for defense, not attack.
They don’t scare most dogs, but they can be dangerous to them in certain situations. If an armadillo is cornered by a dog, it can bite or scratch the dog using its sharp claws. Similarly, armadillos don’t usually scare away cats.
Armadillos can also transmit various diseases when they scratch an animal with their claws.
How to Protect Your Yard From Armadillos
There are several measures you can take to protect your backyard or garden from the destructive actions of armadillos. Here are some of them.
- Building a fence around your yard/garden can keep armadillos out. The fence can be as low as 2 feet.
- You can sprinkle coyote urine to deter armadillos. Since coyotes prey on armadillos, this makes their urine an effective deterrent.
- You can also install armadillo traps.
Final Thoughts
To sum it up, armadillos are generally harmless but not exactly docile creatures. While they’re not aggressive towards animals such as deer, the noise they make can scare deer off.
Planting food plots with water sources nearby and sprinkling deer urine can help attract deer even if armadillos are nearby.
You can prevent armadillos from uprooting plants, flowers, and vegetation in your backyard by sprinkling coyote urine, building a fence, and installing traps. These will certainly help keep these busybody creatures away!
