Armadillo Signs and How to Prevent Property Damage in Florida

Armadillos in Florida are common, particularly in wooded areas, gardens, and residential neighborhoods. The nine-banded armadillo is known for digging holes in lawns while searching for insects and creating larger burrows for shelter. Although these animals are generally harmless when left alone, their digging can damage landscaping and disturb soil near structures. Knowing what attracts them and how to prevent damage can help protect your property.

TL;DR: The nine-banded armadillo is common across Florida and active year-round, mostly at night. It digs small cone-shaped holes, about 1 to 3 inches wide, in moist lawns and mulch beds while hunting insects and grubs, and digs larger burrows, about 7 to 8 inches across, under brush, decks, and patios. Cutting back on irrigation, removing fallen fruit and brush, and installing buried fencing reduce damage. Don’t fill a burrow until you know it is empty, and call a professional for burrows near foundations or repeat damage.

Key Takeaways:

• Nine-banded armadillos live throughout much of Florida and remain active year-round.
• Small feeding holes, disturbed soil, and larger burrows are common signs of armadillo activity.
• Reducing attractants, protecting vulnerable areas, and installing barriers can help prevent recurring damage.
• Armadillos are not native to Florida, and UF/IFAS lists them as invasive.
• Feeding holes are shallow and cone-shaped, while shelter burrows are larger and can extend several feet underground.
• Moist soil, mulch, dense vegetation, and fallen fruit attract them.
• Fencing at least 2 feet high with an apron buried about 18 inches deep protects gardens, according to FWC.
• Avoid mothballs, poison baits, and unverified repellents, and don’t seal a burrow that may be occupied.

Are Armadillos Common in Florida?

Yes, armadillos are common throughout much of Florida. The nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) is the species found in the state. It has a hard, armored shell, a pointed snout, short legs, and strong claws adapted for digging.

These animals are found in forests, wooded neighborhoods, open fields, and residential yards. They prefer areas with accessible soil, plenty of insects, and sheltered places where they can dig burrows.

Although armadillos are now established across Florida, they are not native to the state. Their range expanded into Florida during the early twentieth century, and they have since become a familiar sight in many communities.

Why Do Armadillos Dig in Florida Yards?

Armadillos dig primarily to find food and create shelter. Their diet consists largely of insects, insect larvae, earthworms, and other small invertebrates living beneath the soil. Florida lawns and gardens can provide ideal feeding conditions, especially when the ground is soft and moist.

Common conditions that attract armadillos include:

• Moist soil: Regular irrigation and rainfall make digging easier and can bring earthworms closer to the surface.
• Mulch and garden beds: Loose soil provides accessible areas for searching for food.
• Dense vegetation: Shrubs and overgrown areas offer shelter near feeding locations.
• Fallen fruit: Ripe or fermenting fruit can attract foraging armadillos.

Armadillos may return to the same yard repeatedly when they find reliable food sources. Their digging can become a recurring problem even when only one animal is visiting.

What Are the Signs of Armadillos in Your Yard?

The most recognizable signs of armadillos are small holes scattered across the lawn and freshly disturbed soil.

However, not every hole indicates armadillo activity. Look for several of these signs together:

• Small, cone-shaped holes: Armadillos dig shallow openings while searching for insects beneath the grass.
• Disturbed mulch or flower beds: Soil and landscaping materials may appear scattered or overturned.
• Damaged grass and plants: Repeated digging can loosen turf and expose shallow roots.
• Larger burrow entrances: Openings beneath shrubs, decks, or near structures may indicate a shelter burrow.
• Fresh digging overnight: New holes appearing between evening and morning can suggest nocturnal wildlife activity.

If the damage continues for several nights, inspect the surrounding property for potential burrows and conditions attracting the animal.

What Do Armadillo Holes and Burrows Look Like?

Armadillos create two main types of openings: small feeding holes and larger shelter burrows. Recognizing the difference helps homeowners understand whether an armadillo is simply visiting to forage or may be living nearby.

Feature	Feeding Holes	Armadillo Burrows
Appearance	Small, shallow, often cone-shaped	Larger tunnel entrance
Typical size	Often around 1–3 inches wide	Frequently around 7–8 inches across
Purpose	Searching for insects and other food	Resting, shelter, and protection
Location	Lawns, gardens, and mulch beds	Beneath vegetation, brush, or near structures
Main concern	Turf and landscaping damage	Soil disturbance and potential structural concerns

Feeding holes usually appear in groups because an armadillo may dig repeatedly while searching for food.

Burrows, on the other hand, are much larger and can extend several feet underground. They are often found in sheltered locations, including beneath brush piles, along embankments, and near patios or building foundations.

According to the University of Florida IFAS Extension, armadillo digging is a common source of damage in Florida lawns and gardens.

Other animals, including moles and pocket gophers, can create similar-looking disturbances. Moles commonly produce raised tunnels or soil mounds, while armadillo feeding activity typically leaves individual shallow holes.

What Damage Can Armadillos Cause to Your Property?

Armadillos are not usually aggressive toward people, but their digging can create problems around Florida homes.

The severity depends on how frequently an animal visits and where it digs.

1. Lawn and Garden Damage

Repeated feeding holes can leave lawns uneven, disturb grass roots, and damage newly planted areas. Gardens and flower beds are especially vulnerable because the soil is often loose and easy to excavate.

2. Damage to Landscaping and Irrigation

Digging may displace mulch, expose shallow roots, and disturb irrigation tubing or other landscaping components. Repeated activity can also make lawn maintenance more difficult.

3. Burrows Near Foundations and Patios

Larger burrows near foundations, walkways, decks, or patios deserve attention.

Excavation can remove or disturb supporting soil, potentially contributing to settling or other problems in vulnerable areas. However, finding a burrow near a structure does not automatically mean structural damage has occurred.

If you discover a large opening beneath a patio or near your home’s foundation, have the area inspected before attempting to fill it.

When Are Armadillos Most Active in Florida?

Armadillos are generally most active at night, particularly during the evening and early morning hours. Their activity can change depending on temperature, rainfall, and food availability.

During hot Florida weather, armadillos often forage after sunset when temperatures are cooler. They may also be seen during daylight hours, especially in cooler conditions.

Do armadillos hibernate? No. Armadillos do not undergo true hibernation. Florida’s relatively mild climate allows them to remain active throughout the year, although their daily movement and feeding patterns may change with the weather.

This means homeowners can encounter armadillo damage during any season, not just during the summer.

How to Prevent Armadillo Damage in Florida

Preventing armadillo damage involves making vulnerable areas less attractive and using physical barriers where necessary. There is no single solution that guarantees armadillos will stay away, but combining the following steps can reduce recurring problems.

1. Reduce Excess Moisture in Your Yard

Avoid overwatering lawns and gardens. Moist soil makes digging easier and can support the earthworms and other invertebrates armadillos eat.

Watering during the morning rather than late evening gives the soil more time to dry before armadillos become active.

Maintain enough irrigation for healthy plants without keeping the ground constantly saturated.

2. Remove Fallen Fruit and Potential Shelter

Pick up fallen fruit beneath trees and remove unnecessary debris from the yard.

Clear abandoned brush piles, unused landscaping materials, and other clutter near buildings where armadillos may find shelter.

Keep vegetation maintained around decks, sheds, and other vulnerable structures so new digging activity is easier to notice.

3. Protect Gardens With Physical Barriers

Physical exclusion is one of the more reliable ways to protect specific areas from armadillo damage.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, barriers around vulnerable areas can help prevent entry when properly installed.

For heavily affected gardens, the agency recommends fencing at least 2 feet high with a buried apron extending approximately 18 inches below ground.

Barriers should be installed carefully to discourage digging underneath them.

4. Inspect Burrows Near Your Home

Regularly check areas around patios, foundations, decks, and sheds for large openings or recently excavated soil.

If you find a suspected armadillo burrow, avoid immediately sealing or filling it. An animal may still be inside.

Also, avoid relying on mothballs, poison baits, or unverified chemical repellents. These approaches can be ineffective, unsafe, or unlawful when used improperly.

For established burrows or recurring damage, professional inspection can help identify an appropriate exclusion or wildlife management approach.

Need Help With Armadillo Damage in Florida?

If armadillos keep digging up your lawn or creating burrows near your home, Nextgen Pest Solutions can help identify the source of the activity and recommend appropriate control measures.

Our professional armadillo removal services focus on addressing recurring wildlife problems and helping protect your property.

Contact Nextgen Pest Solutions to schedule a wildlife inspection.