The armadillo is an armored mammal instantly recognizable by the bony, scaly plates, or scutes, that cover its body. Primarily nocturnal, armadillos use their keen sense of smell to forage for insects and grubs during the cooler hours of the night. While they are a natural part of the ecosystem, their powerful digging habits often lead to conflict with homeowners and commercial properties, raising the question of whether they should be classified as pests.
Primary Reasons Armadillos Are Considered Pests
The extensive property damage resulting from their foraging and burrowing behaviors is the primary cause for the armadillo’s pest designation. When searching for their diet of insects, grubs, and worms, armadillos create numerous small, characteristic holes in lawns and gardens. These shallow, conical or shovel-shaped holes typically measure between one and three inches deep and three to five inches wide.
This foraging activity can quickly destroy the aesthetic quality of well-maintained lawns, flower beds, and vegetable gardens. They frequently uproot ornamental plants, tear through mulch, and damage the root systems of shrubs and trees while hunting for subterranean prey.
The more structurally significant damage comes from their need to construct extensive burrows for shelter and nesting. A single armadillo can maintain an average of ten burrows within its home range, which can be up to 25 feet long and five feet deep. When these burrows are dug near human-built structures, they can compromise the integrity of concrete slabs, driveways, patios, and even building foundations. Furthermore, the underground tunnels can destabilize the ground surface, creating tripping hazards for people or livestock.
Health Risks Associated with Armadillos
Armadillos are one of the few mammals, other than humans, that naturally carry the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae, the causative agent of Hansen’s disease (leprosy). Studies, particularly in the southern United States, have confirmed that the same specific strain is found in both wild armadillos and some human patients, strongly linking the animal to human infection. In certain populations of armadillos, up to 20 percent of the animals may be infected with the bacteria.
Transmission to humans is rare, with only 150 to 250 new cases of leprosy diagnosed in the United States annually. The risk of contracting the disease is low and typically requires close and repeated contact, often through handling the animal or consuming its undercooked meat. Beyond Hansen’s disease, armadillos can also be carriers for other pathogens, including the bacteria responsible for salmonellosis, which is spread through the armadillo’s feces.
Strategies for Effective Armadillo Management
Constructing a physical barrier is one of the most reliable exclusion methods for protecting specific areas like gardens or foundations. For this to be effective, a fence should be buried at least 12 to 18 inches deep and extend three feet above the ground, sometimes angled outward at 40 degrees to prevent the armadillo from digging beneath or climbing over it.
Modifying the habitat by removing the armadillo’s primary food source can also be effective in reducing their presence. Treating a lawn for grubs and other soil-dwelling insects with professional-grade control products decreases the incentive for the armadillo to dig there. Removing dense vegetation, brush piles, and other ground cover eliminates potential daytime resting or burrowing locations.
Common home remedies, such as mothballs or various chemical repellents, are generally not successful in deterring armadillos due to their limited effectiveness. Live trapping is an option, but success often relies on placing the trap strategically along known travel paths or funneling the animal toward the entrance using boards, as bait is not always effective. Homeowners must also be aware that regulations regarding the trapping and relocation of nuisance wildlife vary significantly by state and local jurisdiction, and checking local laws is required before attempting removal.