

Removing hiding spots. Since armadillos prefer dense, shady habitats, clear overgrowth to discourage them from becoming established.There are some steps you can take to get rid of them on your own: When dealing with armadillos on your property, it’s best to remember why they are coming to your yard in the first place: food and shelter. Once you can tell where armadillos are on your property, you can begin to take steps to deter them from hanging around. Armadillo holes tend to be a few inches deep and three to five inches wide. You’ll be able to spot damage from armadillos by searching for holes around your lawn and next to or underneath structures like sidewalks of decks. Whether they are looking for their next meal or place to hide, armadillos are most destructive when digging.
Armadillo holes skin#
Although the risk of transmission to humans is low, the impact of the disease is quite significant and can cause skin sores, nerve damage and muscle weakness that increases over time. That said, as with other wild animals, it’s best to play it safe and keep clear of these armored creatures should you come close to one.Īlthough armadillos don’t bite, they are the only animals-other than humans-that can contract a disfiguring disease known as leprosy. Their tiny mouths with peg-like molars would make it difficult for them bite a human. Armadillos have not been known to bite people. The only way to get a real glimpse of an armadillo’s teeth is when its mouths are fully open, so that might explain why armadillos were once considered toothless. The nine-banded armadillo belongs to a primitive order of mammals called Endentata, which means “toothless.” However, this is a misnomer, as armadillos do, in fact, have several dozen teeth. Something else to note is that armadillos love to burrow in places with ample protection, so if you have a deck or heavy shrubbery, this could be a perfect spot for them to stay safe from predators. Although armadillos can leave cone-shaped pits across your yard in their quest for insects and other bugs, the benefit is that the animals are most likely feasting on the very pests which are feeding on your plants, including grubs which are harmful to your grass roots.

If you have ant piles or fallen fruit from your trees, this may be what’s encouraging armadillos to visit your backyard. Aside from insects and their larvae, which make up 90% of the animal’s diet, armadillos also eat small vertebrates, plants and some fruits. Like most other animals, armadillos wander into your yard searching for food and shelter. Armadillos’ long sticky tongues aid the animals in extracting ants, termites and other food from the tunnels they dig. Although armadillos have poor eyesight, they have a keen sense of smell that they use to hunt. Most armadillos dig burrows and sleep for up to 16 hours per day, foraging in the early morning and evening for beetles, ants, termites and other insects. These prehistoric-looking mammals live in warm temperate climates because of their low metabolism and lack of fat, making finding armadillos in Texas and other southern states relatively easy. First all, although t here are 20 varieties of armadillo, only the nine-banded armadillo is found in North America.
Armadillo holes how to#
Understanding Armadillosīefore we explore how to scare away armadillos, we should point out some interesting facts about these creatures. Let’s explore some different ways to discourage armadillos from entering your yard. More homeowners are coming into contact with armadillos and falling victim to the damage they can cause, particularly in outdoor spaces. Armadillos have shown themselves to be very adaptable, with few natural predators and the ability to survive under a variety of conditions. Since then, the animal’s range has expanded north, all the way up to Kansas. The armadillo made its way to the United States from South America a little over a century ago. As with most other types of pests, taking the time to learn more about the animal, what attracts them to your yard and what risks they pose helps better understand how to get rid of armadillos.

Although these small mammals have a cult-like following in some parts of the country, armadillos can cause real damage by digging shallow holes all across your property in search of food, uprooting your ornamental plants and even waking you up in the middle of the night as they rub their shells against your home. What could it be digging up your yard or garden? If you are in the southeast part of the United States, one possibility-if you have ruled out your own dog-is the armadillo. It’s too big to be a rodent, but it’s not a raccoon or possum.
