Signs You Have Armadillos

What are They?

Armadillos are scavenging wildlife that dig burrows and can do significant damage to your garden and lawn if they decide to make your yard their home. Armadillos are typically small. If you are aware of the telltale signs of an armadillo’s presence, and take the appropriate measures to protect your property. Armadillos can be found as far north as Texas, Florida, and Louisiana in the United States.

What Diseases is Being Carried?

While armadillos are typically harmless and even cute, they can transmit certain diseases to humans. Leprosy, caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae, is the most common. Untreated, this disease can cause nerve damage, skin ulcers, and more if it comes into contact with the armadillo’s skin.

Consequently they can transmit diseases to humans, there are precautions that can be taken when interacting with them. By avoiding contact with their saliva, feces, and skin, you can reduce your chances of contracting any of these diseases.

Armadillos also pose a risk of contracting Chagas disease. This is a parasitic infection caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi and spread by contact with armadillo feces. Especially if you leave it untreated, Chagas can cause fever, enlarged liver and spleen, and heart damage. Furthermore, if you come into contact with an armadillo, make sure to thoroughly wash your hands afterwards.

Here are some signs that might help you decide if you have Armadillos in your yard, and methods to take action:

Digging

Digging is one of the most noticeable signs that an armadillo population is present. Armadillos have powerful claws that they use to scratch the ground in order to uncover grubs, worms. Also other insects that they can eat. These holes are typically about the size of a golf ball and may have chunks of soil strewn about the area surrounding them. If the armadillo is active at night, you might even hear it digging.

Damage to Plants

Also, armadillos have the ability to cause harm to your garden as well as the plants in it. They have the ability to uproot newly planted flower beds, and destroy petunias and tulips. If you find that your plants are being dug up, it’s possible that armadillos are the ones responsible for the damage.

Tracks

Armadillos are able to be identified by the tracks that they leave behind in the dirt. You may have noticed that the tracks are quite small and circular, and that they lead from one part of your yard to another. If you notice this, it may be an indication that there is an armadillo living in your yard.

Noise

Since Armadillos spend the majority of their active time asleep, it can be challenging to spot one of them during the day. However, if they are active at night, you might be able to hear them rustling in the leaves or digging in the dirt.

Barriers

If you have any reason to believe that armadillos are living in your yard, the most effective method for getting rid of them is to exclude them. To do this, you will need to construct barriers around the perimeter of your property so that armadillos are unable to enter. This can include the use of fencing, sprinklers that are activated by motion, and other methods.

Professional Removal

These are all signs you have armadillos, and if you have tried various methods of exclusion, but none have been successful, it may be time to get help from a trained professional. Armadillos are not dangerous but can be difficult to remove and do carry transmittable diseases. If you hire a wildlife removal service, they can assist you in doing so in a way that is both humane and effective.

You can prevent armadillos from entering your property if you are aware of the signs that indicate their presence. You can take the appropriate precautions to keep them out.

Are you in need of wildlife removal? Our friendly operators at Dallas Fort Worth Wildlife Control are available now at (817) 606-7607. Find out more about our armadillo removal in Arlington and Fort Worth, TX.