Armadillos, with their distinctive armored shells, are a growing concern for property owners due to their destructive potential. They are expanding their range regionally, bringing their burrowing and foraging habits to new areas. While generally docile, their natural behaviors, particularly their search for food, can lead to significant damage to lawns, gardens, and even home foundations.
Common Destructive Behaviors
Armadillos primarily cause damage through extensive digging. As insectivores, their diet consists mainly of insects and invertebrates such as ants, beetles, and grubs found in the soil. As they forage, armadillos create numerous shallow, conical, or dish-shaped holes, typically 1 to 5 inches deep and 3 to 5 inches wide, across lawns, gardens, and flowerbeds. This constant rooting disrupts turf, uproots plants, and can leave a yard looking torn apart overnight.
Beyond these foraging holes, armadillos also dig larger burrows for shelter and raising their young. These burrows can be substantial, with openings around 7 to 8 inches in diameter and tunnels extending from 2 to 25 feet long, and sometimes up to 5 feet deep. A single armadillo can maintain multiple burrows. When these larger burrows are dug close to structures, they can undermine foundations, driveways, sidewalks, and concrete slabs, potentially weakening their structural integrity and causing significant long-term issues.
Identifying Armadillo Activity
Recognizing the specific signs of armadillo activity is crucial for homeowners. The most common indicators are the distinctive shallow holes found in lawns, often appearing overnight. These holes are typically 1 to 5 inches deep and 3 to 5 inches wide, characterized by their conical or dish-shaped appearance. You might also observe disturbed soil, uprooted plants, and sometimes even narrow, winding trails through grass or under shrubs where they have been foraging.
Armadillos are primarily nocturnal, meaning they are most active during the night, typically from dusk into the early morning hours. Therefore, direct sightings are less common, but you might occasionally spot one at dawn or dusk. Beyond visual cues, a strong musky scent near burrows can also indicate an armadillo presence. If you notice these specific types of holes, disturbed areas, or a distinct odor, it strongly suggests armadillo activity rather than that of other wildlife.
Strategies for Deterrence
To discourage armadillos from damaging your property, various humane deterrence strategies can be employed. Reducing their primary food sources, such as grubs and insects, can make your yard less appealing. Treating your lawn for grubs can help reduce the appeal for foraging armadillos. Removing attractants like fallen fruit and pet food left outdoors also helps, as armadillos are opportunistic feeders.
Physical barriers offer a more direct approach to prevention. Installing a sturdy fence can be effective, especially if it is at least 24 inches high and slanted outward at a 40-degree angle to deter climbing. To prevent them from digging underneath, the fence should be buried at least 12 inches deep, or even deeper in sandy soils. Repellents, both natural and commercial, are another option, though their effectiveness can vary. Some suggested natural repellents include strong odors like garlic, cayenne pepper, or castor oil, which aim to irritate their sensitive sense of smell. However, these often require frequent reapplication, especially after rain, and may not provide a foolproof solution. Motion-activated sprinklers can also startle armadillos, deterring them from entering specific areas.