Armadillo Removal & Control
Humane solutions for armadillo problems on your property
About Armadillos
The nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) is the only species of armadillo found in the United States. These distinctive mammals have expanded their range northward in recent decades and are now common throughout the southern states in our service areas.
Appearance
Medium-sized (15-17 inches long excluding tail) with a distinctive armored shell, pointed snout, and long tail.
Behavior
Primarily nocturnal, excellent diggers that create extensive burrow systems and forage by digging in soil.
Diet
Insectivorous, feeding primarily on insects, grubs, worms, and other invertebrates found in soil and leaf litter.
Reproduction
Unique reproductive trait: they always give birth to identical quadruplets from a single fertilized egg.
Problems Caused by Armadillos
Landscape Damage
- Creating numerous shallow holes and burrows in lawns
- Uprooting plants, flowers, and garden vegetables
- Damaging irrigation systems and underground utilities
- Creating unsightly trails through garden beds
Structural Concerns
- Burrowing under concrete slabs, decks, and foundations
- Creating voids that can lead to settling or cracking
- Undermining driveways and walkways
- Compromising the stability of retaining walls
Other Issues
- Creating tripping hazards from holes and burrows
- Potential carriers of leprosy bacteria (though transmission is rare)
- Introducing ticks and other parasites to your property
- Potentially harmful interactions with pets
Our Armadillo Removal Process
We use effective, humane methods to resolve armadillo problems on your property:
Inspection
Thorough assessment to identify armadillo activity patterns, burrow locations, and the extent of damage.
Trapping
Using specialized live traps strategically placed along travel paths and near burrow entrances.
Relocation
Humane relocation of captured armadillos to suitable habitat areas in accordance with state regulations.
Prevention
Installing barriers and implementing habitat modifications to prevent future armadillo problems.
Armadillo Prevention Strategies
After removing armadillos, we implement these effective preventative measures:
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Exclusion Fencing
Installing specialized barriers around gardens, flower beds, and other vulnerable areas. Effective fencing must be buried 12-18 inches deep and angled outward.
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Burrow Remediation
Properly filling and compacting abandoned burrows to prevent new armadillos from occupying them and to restore landscape integrity.
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Habitat Modification
Reducing favorable habitat by removing brush piles, managing mulch depth, and controlling the grubs and insects that attract armadillos.
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Foundation Protection
Installing barriers, such as concrete footer extensions or buried hardware cloth, to prevent burrowing under structures.
Armadillo Facts & Information
Understanding these unique animals can help in managing conflicts more effectively.
Fascinating Adaptations
- Armored shell composed of bony plates covered by horny material
- Can hold their breath for up to 6 minutes underwater
- Strong legs and claws designed for digging
- Can jump 3-4 feet vertically when startled
Behavior Patterns
- Primarily active at night, especially during warm months
- Create burrows 7-8 feet long and 2-3 feet deep
- Use multiple burrows within their territory
- Poor eyesight but excellent sense of smell
Ecological Role
- Control insect populations, including pest species
- Aerate soil through digging activities
- Their abandoned burrows provide habitat for other wildlife
- Natural range expansion due to climate change and habitat alterations
Armadillo Removal FAQs
Look for distinctive signs including small, cone-shaped holes (about 1-3 inches deep and 3-5 inches wide) in your lawn or garden, disturbed soil around plants, shallow trenches along foundations or fences, and burrow entrances (approximately 7-8 inches in diameter) under structures, stumps, or dense vegetation.
Yes, armadillos can potentially damage foundations by burrowing underneath them. These burrows can create voids beneath concrete slabs, patios, and foundations that may lead to settling, cracking, or other structural issues over time, especially in areas with expansive soils.
Armadillos are most active during warm months, typically from late spring through early fall. In southern regions, they may remain active year-round. They are primarily nocturnal, so most digging and foraging occurs at night when temperatures are cooler, especially during hot summer months.
Most DIY repellents have limited effectiveness against armadillos. Commercially available repellents and home remedies like mothballs, castor oil, or predator urine typically provide only temporary results, if any. Physical exclusion methods and habitat modification are much more reliable long-term solutions.
Having Armadillo Problems?
Our wildlife experts are ready to provide a humane, effective solution with our 10-year guarantee.
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