Appearance

Armadillos have an unmistakable appearance. hey have plates made of bone that cover the majority of their body, running from head to tail.The name in Spanish means: little armored one. Armadillos weigh in around 5.5 kgs (12-13 pounds) and are a little over two feet long. They have tails that are almost the same length as their bodies.

Damage

Armadillo just love to dig holes. As they hunt for food, they make tiny holes in the ground to burrow and find insects, worms and grubs. This can make a mean impact on gardens and landscaping, destroying root structures of beloved plants. Watch out if they get close to sidewalks, paved driveways, load bearing deck studs, and around your foundation. They can undermine the structural integrity of your buildings and cause some very costly repairs

Disease

It’s very rare, but it is possible to contract Hansen’s disease (otherwise known as leprosy) from Armadillos. Please don’t try to handle Armadillos yourself, and if you must, make absolutely sure to wear protective clothing.

Trapping & Removal

Trapping an armadillo is not an easy process. They do not tend to respond to normal types of bait, as they prefer to feed on food found underground. If you try to bait your own traps, you’re likely to end up catching a Opossum or other small mammal lurking around your property. Engaging a Wildlife Professional is the only surefire way to make sure that you get them out of your yard and transferred far enough away that they stay gone.

Exclusion

People have tried everything under the sun to keep armadillos out of their yard. Mothballs, repellents, predator urine, etc. Nothing seems to really work on these little guys.

The only truly effective method is a good fence. If you have one installed (or do it yourself) make sure to bury the bottom of the fence line several inches underground so that the dillos can’t dig under it.