Armadillos in Arbor Lake: Cute to Look At… Not So Cute Under Your Home

If you’ve lived in Arbor Lake for very long, chances are you’ve seen an armadillo wandering through a yard, crossing the street, or digging around in the grass.

They may look harmless—and most of the time, they are. But there is one thing homeowners should pay attention to: where an armadillo is digging.

Armadillos are natural diggers. They spend much of their nighttime hours searching for insects, grubs, earthworms and other small creatures in the soil. That can leave your lawn looking like someone scattered dozens of little holes throughout it.

But the bigger concern is when an armadillo decides to make a home under or next to a structure.

Watch for Burrows Around Your Home

Armadillos can dig burrows underneath patios, driveways and foundations. UF/IFAS specifically notes that armadillo burrowing can occur under foundations and other structures and may contribute to structural problems.

That means there are a couple of places around your home that deserve a little extra

attention:

• Around your foundationWalk around the outside of your home and look for fresh soil, holes or signs that something has been digging along the foundation.

• Under your air-conditioning padTake a look around the concrete pad supporting your outside A/C unit. If an armadillo begins digging underneath or beside the pad, the soil supporting it could eventually be disturbed.

• Around patios and walkwaysBurrowing underneath concrete can create voids beneath these surfaces.

• Around landscaping and flower bedsThis is where you'll often see the first signs of armadillo activity—small holes and areas of freshly disturbed soil.

A Simple Homeowner Habit That Could Save You Trouble

You don't have to become an armadillo detective!

But it is a good idea to walk around your property every couple of months and take a quick look at what's happening around your home.

Think of it as a homeowner's inspection walk.

Look for:

• New holes or disturbed soil

• Burrows along the foundation

• Gaps developing underneath concrete

• Soil being removed from beneath an A/C pad

• Areas where an animal appears to be repeatedly entering and exiting

• Damage to flower beds, landscaping or turf

The earlier you notice a problem, the easier it generally is to address it.

Why Are They Digging?

Armadillos aren't digging up your yard just to annoy you!

They're usually looking for food. Their diet consists largely of insects and other invertebrates found in the soil. Overwatering and heavy fertilization can encourage the insects and worms they like to eat, which can make a yard particularly attractive to them.

So one simple step is to avoid overwatering and over-fertilizing your lawn and landscaping.

What Should You Do If You Find an Armadillo?

First, don't panic—and don't immediately reach for a homemade remedy.

University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences says there are no proven chemical repellents, toxicants or fumigants registered for controlling armadillos, and some commonly suggested remedies simply don't work.

Instead:

1. Identify where the animal is active.Look for the holes and determine whether it is simply feeding in the lawn or actually establishing a burrow.

2. Don't use poison.Poison baits are not an appropriate solution for armadillos.

3. Don't simply fill in an occupied burrow.If an animal is living underneath your home, patio or another structure, you want to make sure the animal has been dealt with before permanently sealing the opening.

4. Consider a wildlife professional if the problem persists.Armadillos can be difficult to trap, and Florida has specific rules concerning nuisance wildlife. A qualified wildlife-control professional can help determine the best way to handle the situation.

One More Important Reminder

If you find a burrow, make sure you know what created it before taking action.

Florida has other animals that dig burrows, including protected wildlife. Don't assume every hole in the ground belongs to an armadillo.

The Bottom Line for Arbor Lake Homeowners

Seeing an armadillo occasionally isn't necessarily a problem.

An armadillo digging next to your foundation or underneath your A/C pad is something you shouldn't ignore.

Take a few minutes every couple of months to walk around your property. Check the foundation, concrete areas, A/C pad and landscaping. A little attention now could help you catch a burrowing problem before it becomes a much bigger—and potentially much more expensive—home repair.

So enjoy seeing our neighborhood wildlife from a distance…

Just make sure your new neighbor isn't trying to move into your foundation!