The nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) is a common sight in Florida, often becoming a significant nuisance for homeowners. These armored mammals cause property damage primarily through their relentless foraging and burrowing behaviors. They aggressively dig up lawns and flowerbeds while searching for food, and they excavate large, deep burrows that can compromise the foundation of structures like porches, sheds, and homes. Understanding Florida’s specific regulations and implementing effective, layered control methods is the most successful approach to managing this problem.
Florida Regulations for Armadillo Control
Armadillos are classified as nuisance wildlife in Florida and are not legally protected, meaning a landowner generally does not need a permit to trap or remove them on their own property. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) governs the rules for handling captured animals, and regulations on disposal are strict, preventing casual relocation.
Any live-captured armadillo must be either humanely euthanized, released on-site, or released on a property of 40 contiguous acres or larger within the same county, provided the trapper has written permission. Relocating the animal off-site without meeting these conditions is often illegal and discouraged due to the risk of disease spread and the poor survival rate of relocated wildlife. Homeowners unsure about the disposal process often rely on professional wildlife removal services to ensure compliance with state law.
Habitat Modification to Deter Foraging
Armadillos are insectivores, using their exceptional sense of smell to locate their primary diet of invertebrates, which includes grubs, beetles, and earthworms, often up to eight inches below the soil surface. The most effective indirect method of control is to make the yard less appealing as a feeding ground. Since moist soil attracts these invertebrates closer to the surface, minimizing lawn watering and fertilization can help deter armadillos.
Irrigating lawns and gardens early in the day allows the soil to dry out before the armadillos become active during their nocturnal feeding period. For areas with heavy grub or insect infestations, a targeted application of soil insecticide may reduce the food source. Homeowners should use these chemicals strategically and follow all label instructions to minimize the impact on beneficial insects and the wider ecosystem.
Removing dense brush, wood piles, and low-lying cover near the home also makes the area less attractive for temporary shelter and burrow construction. Keeping the ground clear of fallen, fermenting fruit removes an easy food source.
Physical Barriers and Exclusion Techniques
Physical exclusion is the most reliable way to prevent armadillos from accessing specific areas, such as gardens, flowerbeds, or the space beneath structures. A sturdy fence is required, as armadillos are capable of both climbing and digging. For small areas, the fence material should be at least two feet high and constructed of rigid material like welded wire or chain-link.
The physical barrier must be buried deep into the ground to prevent the animal from digging underneath it. The bottom of the fence should be buried a minimum of 12 to 18 inches, with deeper burial recommended in Florida’s soft, sandy soils. To make digging through the barrier difficult, the buried portion of the fence material should be bent outward at a 40- to 45-degree angle. This outward-angled apron presents a confusing obstacle to the armadillo’s digging behavior.
It is also important to seal off any potential access points under decks, sheds, and concrete slabs, as these spaces are prime locations for burrows. Use strong materials like concrete, galvanized wire mesh, or hardware cloth to block off openings. The mesh should be extended at least a foot below ground level to prevent them from digging a new entry point. Properly sealing these structural gaps is a permanent solution to prevent the serious damage that can result from burrows compromising foundations.
Safe and Humane Trapping and Removal
Active removal of armadillos already causing damage is typically achieved through live trapping. The most effective equipment is a large, sturdy cage trap, often described as a raccoon-sized trap, measuring approximately 10 to 12 inches wide, 10 to 12 inches high, and at least 30 to 32 inches long. Armadillos have poor eyesight and rely on established travel patterns, so the trap’s location is far more important than the bait.
Traps should be placed directly in the armadillo’s known travel path, such as along a fence line, next to a building foundation, or directly over the entrance of an active burrow. Many trappers use wooden boards or fencing, known as “wings,” to create a funnel that guides the animal directly into the cage opening. While some sources suggest bait like mealworms, earthworms, or overripe fruit, many professional trappers find bait unnecessary and avoid it to prevent catching non-target animals.
Since armadillos are primarily nocturnal, traps should be checked early every morning. The animal must be handled with care, as they can carry diseases like leprosy. If the homeowner is uncomfortable with the mandated legal disposal or euthanasia of a trapped animal, engaging a professional wildlife control operator is the recommended course of action. These professionals have the proper equipment and knowledge to remove the animal and comply with all Florida FWC regulations.