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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

As spring approaches, homeowners and property managers should be aware of the potential damage caused by armadillos. These nocturnal creatures, known for their armored shells and burrowing habits, can wreak havoc on lawns, gardens, and even structural foundations. If you’ve noticed signs of armadillo activity on your property, it’s crucial to address the issue before spring arrives. In this blog post, we’ll explore why trapping and removing armadillos before the season changes is essential for maintaining a healthy and damage-free environment.

Understanding Armadillo Behavior

Armadillos are primarily nocturnal and prefer warm, humid climates. They are prolific diggers, using their sharp claws to create burrows for shelter and foraging for food. Their diet consists mainly of insects, grubs, and other small invertebrates, which they locate by digging through soil and mulch. While they may seem harmless, their burrowing and feeding habits can lead to extensive property damage over time.

Spring is a critical time for armadillos because it marks the beginning of their peak activity period. As temperatures rise, they become more active in search of food and mates. This increased activity can result in more digging, larger burrows, and greater structural damage. Removing them before spring can help prevent these issues from escalating.

The Dangers of Armadillo Burrowing

One of the most significant concerns with armadillos is their burrowing behavior. They dig deep tunnels and create multiple burrows throughout their territory, often beneath structures such as homes, driveways, sidewalks, and decks. These burrows can weaken the integrity of foundations and cause costly structural issues.

Damage to Lawns and Gardens

Armadillos’ constant digging leaves behind unsightly holes and uproots grass, plants, and flowers. If you have a well-maintained garden, armadillos can quickly destroy it by searching for food beneath the soil. Their burrowing can also disrupt irrigation systems, leading to further landscaping problems.

Structural Damage

If an armadillo burrows under your home, it can cause serious issues over time. Their tunnels can undermine foundations, leading to cracks and instability. This is especially problematic in areas with sandy or loose soil, where structural damage can occur more rapidly. Additionally, their burrows may attract other pests, such as snakes or rodents, creating an even larger problem.

Why Removing Armadillos Before Spring Matters

Since armadillos are most active in spring and summer, removing them before this period can prevent extensive damage. Here’s why early removal is key:

1. Prevent Mating and Population Growth

Armadillos typically breed in early spring, with females giving birth to litters of identical quadruplets later in the season. If you remove armadillos before mating season, you reduce the risk of a growing population on your property. Once babies are born, trapping becomes more complicated, as the young rely on their mother for survival.

2. Minimize Property Damage

By eliminating armadillos before they become more active, you can prevent their burrowing and feeding habits from damaging your lawn, garden, and structures. Taking action early saves time, money, and effort in repairing damage later on.

3. Reduce the Spread of Disease

Armadillos are known carriers of diseases, including leprosy. While transmission to humans is rare, handling an infected armadillo or coming into contact with contaminated soil poses potential health risks. Additionally, their burrows may harbor other pests, such as fleas and ticks, which can spread disease to pets and humans.

4. Protect Your Home’s Foundation

Allowing armadillos to burrow under your home or other structures increases the likelihood of costly foundation damage. Addressing the issue before spring prevents them from establishing deeper tunnels and causing significant structural instability.

Effective Methods for Armadillo Removal

If you suspect an armadillo problem on your property, professional wildlife trapping is the most effective and humane solution. Here are some steps to consider:

1. Identify Activity

Look for signs of armadillo presence, such as holes in your yard, overturned soil, or visible burrow entrances near foundations, sidewalks, or decks.

2. Set Humane Traps

Live trapping is the safest and most ethical method of removal. Professional wildlife trappers use baited, properly sized cages to capture armadillos without causing them harm. Once captured, they are relocated to a suitable habitat away from residential areas.

3. Secure Your Property

After removal, it’s crucial to take preventative measures to keep armadillos from returning. This may include:

• Installing fencing that extends below ground to prevent burrowing.

• Reducing food sources by controlling insect populations.

• Filling in old burrows with dirt and compacting the soil.

4. Seek Professional Assistance

Armadillos can be tricky to trap due to their unpredictable behavior. A professional wildlife removal service, like Affordable Wildlife Services LLC., ensures safe and effective removal while following local regulations. Experts can assess your property, determine the best trapping method, and implement preventative measures to keep armadillos from coming back.

Conclusion

Spring is the season when armadillos become most active, making early removal essential for preventing extensive damage to your property. Their burrowing habits can cause structural instability, ruin lawns and gardens, and even pose health risks. By taking action before spring arrives, you can minimize these risks and maintain a safe, well-maintained environment.

If you suspect armadillos are causing problems on your property, don’t wait until the damage is severe. Contact Affordable Wildlife Services LLC. today for professional, humane, and effective armadillo trapping services. We’re here to help protect your home, yard, and foundation from these destructive pests.

Servicing Manatee, Sarasota and Southern Hillsborough Counties including the communities of Parrish, Lakewood Ranch, Sarasota, Bradenton and Sun City Center.