If you’ve found yourself dealing with armadillos in your yard while your neighbors seem to be completely untouched, you’re probably wondering, “Why me?” These nocturnal diggers can be a real nuisance, tearing up lawns, digging burrows, and leaving behind holes that can trip you up or damage property. But why do armadillos choose some properties over others? As a wildlife control specialist, I’ll break down the key factors that might be attracting them to your yard—and what you can do to keep them away.
1. Your Yard Provides the Perfect Habitat
Armadillos are drawn to environments that offer food, water, and shelter. If your property has any of the following features, it may be more attractive to them than your neighbor’s:
• Loose, Sandy Soil: Armadillos are expert diggers and prefer loose, well-drained soil that makes burrowing easier. If your yard has sandy or loamy soil, it’s an ideal spot for them to dig.
• Shaded Areas and Dense Vegetation: These animals prefer to stay hidden during the day. If your yard has lots of shrubs, thick mulch beds, or shaded spots, it provides excellent cover for them.
• Moisture-Rich Areas: Armadillos thrive in areas where the ground stays moist, as it increases the number of insects and grubs available for food. Overwatered lawns, flower beds, or properties near ponds or creeks can be a magnet for them.
2. You Have a High Insect Population
One of the biggest reasons armadillos move in is because of food. They primarily feed on insects, grubs, worms, and other small invertebrates. If your yard has a thriving insect population, armadillos will take notice. Factors that contribute to this include:
• Lawn Fertilization: While fertilizer helps keep your grass lush, it also encourages earthworms and other soil-dwelling insects that armadillos love.
• Excess Mulch or Compost: If you keep a compost pile or use thick layers of mulch, it can attract insects, which in turn attract armadillos.
• Outdoor Lighting: Some insects are drawn to outdoor lights at night, which can bring in armadillos looking for an easy meal.
3. You Have Existing Burrows or Soft Ground
Armadillos dig burrows for shelter, and once they find a good spot, they may return year after year. If you have old burrows from previous wildlife (like gophers or groundhogs), armadillos may reuse them instead of digging their own. Additionally, if your yard has areas where the soil is particularly soft—such as under decks, patios, or sheds—it’s a prime location for armadillos to start digging.
4. Your Neighbor Has Taken Preventative Measures
While your yard may be more naturally attractive to armadillos, it’s also possible that your neighbors have taken steps to deter them. Some common prevention methods include:
• Fencing: Armadillos are not great climbers, but they can burrow under fences. However, a properly installed fence that extends at least 12-18 inches underground can keep them out.
• Yard Treatments: Many homeowners use grub control treatments to reduce insect populations in their lawns, making them less appealing to armadillos.
5. You’re in a High-Risk Area
If you live near wooded areas, fields, wetlands, or bodies of water, your chances of encountering armadillos are much higher. These natural landscapes provide prime foraging and burrowing locations, and armadillos may simply be expanding their range into nearby yards.
How to Get Rid of Armadillos and Keep Them Away
Now that you know why armadillos are targeting your yard, here’s how you can encourage them to move elsewhere:
1. Eliminate Their Food Source
Since armadillos are attracted to grubs and insects, reducing the population in your yard is a key strategy. Apply a lawn treatment specifically designed to control grubs and other soil-dwelling pests.
2. Modify Your Landscape
• Remove dense brush, woodpiles, and excess mulch that could be providing shelter.
• Reduce watering to make your lawn less attractive to burrowing pests.
• Fill in existing burrows to prevent them from being reused.
3. Install a Barrier
A sturdy fence that extends at least 12-18 inches underground can effectively block armadillos from burrowing into your yard. Angling the bottom of the fence outward can make it even harder for them to dig under.
4. Live Trapping and Removal
If armadillos have already established themselves in your yard, trapping may be the best option. Since trapping and relocating wildlife can be tricky and is often regulated, it’s best to contact a professional wildlife removal service.
Conclusion
If you have armadillos while your neighbors don’t, it’s likely due to environmental factors that make your yard more appealing to them. Whether it’s the soil, insect population, or lack of deterrents, armadillos will always choose the easiest and most resource-rich locations. By making a few strategic changes, you can discourage these burrowing creatures and reclaim your yard. If you need expert help with removal, don’t hesitate to contact a professional wildlife control service like Affordable Wildlife Service LLC . We specialize in humane and effective armadillo control solutions, ensuring that your property stays armadillo-free.
Need help now? Call us today at 941-724-7930 or visit our website at AffordableWildlifeService.com to schedule a consultation!
Armadillo removal service for Manatee and Sarasota counties including Lakewood Ranch and Parrish
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