If you have noticed holes in your yard or uprooted plants that appeared overnight, an armadillo might be the reason. In Florida, the armadillo is surprisingly common and can cause serious landscape and structural damage if they make your property their home.
While armadillos look harmless, their digging habits can ruin lawns, undermine foundations, and even create entry points for other pests.
Understanding why armadillos dig, what damage they cause, and how to keep them away helps you protect your home and yard before the problem gets worse.
Why Armadillo Sightings Are Common in Florida
The armadillo thrives in the warm climate and sandy soil of Florida. These conditions make it easy for them to dig for food and build underground burrows. The most common species here is the nine-banded armadillo, which arrived in Florida in the early 1900s and spread throughout the state.
Armadillos are nocturnal, meaning they do most of their activity at night. They feed mainly on insects, worms, and larvae, which they find by rooting through the soil.
Unfortunately, this habit leads to damage that can affect landscaping, irrigation systems, and even home foundations.
Environmental factors that attract armadillos:
- Moist soil rich with insects and grubs
- Thick vegetation or mulch beds near homes
- Easily accessible crawl spaces, decks, or patios
- Areas with minimal fencing or barriers
Once armadillos find a good food source, they often return night after night, expanding burrows and tunnels as they dig.
Types of Armadillo Damage
While armadillos rarely enter homes, their constant digging can create more problems than most people realize. Here are the most common types of property damage they cause in Florida.
1. Lawn and Garden Destruction
Armadillos dig shallow holes about three to five inches wide and several inches deep in search of insects. A single night of activity can leave a yard covered in dozens of small craters. Gardens, flowerbeds, and mulch areas are frequent targets because they contain soft, moist soil that’s easy to dig through.
2. Foundation and Driveway Damage
Burrows near structures can cause soil shifting, which weakens support around slabs, patios, or driveways. Over time, this can lead to cracks or uneven settling.
A single burrow may extend several feet underground, making it difficult for homeowners to locate or fill completely without professional help.
3. Irrigation and Utility Line Disruption
Armadillos often dig near sprinkler systems, drainage lines, or utility pipes, damaging these systems as they search for food. This can lead to leaks, soil erosion, and water waste.
4. Fence Line Weakening
When armadillos burrow near fences or retaining walls, they can loosen soil around posts and supports. This makes fences tilt or lean, especially after heavy rain.
5. Structural Risks Around Decks and Crawl Spaces
Armadillos prefer cool, shaded areas. Crawl spaces under decks or homes are ideal for them to dig and rest during the day. Over time, their burrows can compromise the stability of support beams and increase the risk of moisture buildup.
Did You Know?
A single armadillo can dig up to 12 burrows in its home range and create more than 30 small feeding holes per night.
Signs of Florida Armadillo Activity
Armadillo damage often goes unnoticed until it becomes extensive. Watch for these early warning signs to catch them before they multiply or expand their tunnels:
- Small cone-shaped holes in the lawn
- Uprooted sod or plants, especially near mulch beds
- Cracked or sinking soil near sidewalks or patios
- Burrow openings are roughly 7 to 10 inches wide
- Nocturnal noises or rustling sounds at night
- Fresh soil mounds near decks or foundations
If you see these indicators, it’s time to take action. Armadillos are persistent and will continue to dig until their food source or habitat changes.
Why Armadillo Damage Matters
While armadillos are not aggressive, their behavior poses real risks for Florida homeowners.
Structural Concerns:
Burrows weaken soil stability and can compromise foundation integrity over time. This is especially problematic in coastal areas where soil erosion already presents challenges.
Health Risks:
Armadillos can carry parasites and diseases, including the bacteria that cause Hansen’s disease (leprosy), although transmission to humans is rare. They may also bring fleas or ticks into the yard, which can affect pets and wildlife.
Environmental Impact:
Their constant digging can disturb native plants and small animal habitats. This imbalance may lead to more pest activity as insects and rodents take advantage of the disturbed soil.
How to Prevent Armadillo Damage
Keeping armadillos away starts with removing what attracts them. Prevention is always more effective and humane than dealing with an established infestation.
1. Eliminate Food Sources
Armadillos dig where they find insects and grubs. Applying a professional-grade grub control treatment or using nematodes can reduce their food supply. Less food means fewer visits from armadillos.
2. Secure Entry Points and Hiding Areas
Inspect your property for low-clearance areas like decks, sheds, or crawl spaces. Seal gaps with heavy-duty hardware cloth or galvanized wire at least 12 inches deep to prevent burrowing. Installing barriers around gardens or flowerbeds also helps.
3. Improve Drainage and Soil Conditions
Armadillos prefer moist soil that’s easy to dig. Proper yard drainage keeps the soil drier and less appealing. Adjust sprinklers and redirect downspouts to prevent pooling water near the foundation.
4. Use Fencing Strategically
If you have frequent armadillo visitors, consider adding low fencing around vulnerable areas. A fence buried 12–18 inches into the ground and angled outward at the base is highly effective. For best results, use mesh no larger than one inch.
5. Reduce Shelter Opportunities
Remove brush piles, wood stacks, or overgrown vegetation near the house. These shaded areas provide perfect daytime cover for armadillos.
6. Maintain Regular Wildlife Inspections
Scheduling periodic wildlife inspections with Nextgen Pest Solutions can help identify early signs of burrowing or soil movement. Our team uses tools like thermal imaging and soil assessment tools to locate hidden tunnels before they spread.
Humane Armadillo Control Options
Trapping or exclusion should always be handled by licensed professionals, since the armadillo is protected by Florida wildlife regulations that restrict certain relocation methods.
Professional methods may include:
- Live trapping with baited cages placed near burrow entrances
- One-way exclusion devices that allow exit but block reentry
- Soil treatment and burrow backfilling to discourage return
- Long-term habitat management through pest control and fencing adjustments
At Nextgen Pest Solutions, we focus on humane and permanent solutions that protect both the homeowner and the environment.
The EPA emphasizes that integrated pest management (IPM) is the safest and most effective approach to controlling nuisance wildlife, combining prevention, monitoring, and non-toxic deterrents whenever possible.
Armadillo Prevention Chart
| Prevention Method | Purpose | Best For |
| Grub control or soil treatment | Removes main food source | Yards and lawns |
| Hardware cloth barriers | Prevents digging near structures | Decks, sheds, and crawl spaces |
| Deep fencing (12–18 inches) | Stops burrowing entry | Gardens and flowerbeds |
| Improved drainage | Reduces soil moisture | Low-lying or shaded areas |
| Routine inspections | Detects burrows early | All property types |
Data from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation and the EPA Integrated Pest Management guidelines.
Related Questions
Do armadillos bite or attack people?
No. Armadillos are shy and will run or curl up when threatened. However, direct contact should still be avoided.
Can armadillos damage my home or foundation?
Yes. Burrows near foundations or patios can loosen soil and lead to damage like cracks or uneven settling over time.
How can I tell if the burrow is active?
Look for fresh dirt around the entrance or tracks nearby. If soil is compacted or cobwebs have formed, the burrow may be inactive.
Will filling in a burrow solve the problem?
Not always. Armadillos often return to reopen old tunnels. It’s best to combine burrow filling with pest control and habitat modification to ensure long-term results.
When to Call a Professional
If you find recurring holes in your yard or notice soil shifting near structures, contact a licensed wildlife control expert. DIY deterrents like cayenne pepper or mothballs rarely work long-term and may harm other wildlife.
Nextgen Pest Solutions serves homeowners across Clearwater and nearby Florida communities. Our team specializes in identifying, excluding, and preventing wildlife damage caused by armadillos, raccoons, opossums, and other nuisance animals.
We use humane, science-backed methods that align with state regulations to protect both your property and the local environment.
Pro Tip: Schedule inspections during early spring when armadillo activity increases after cooler weather. Early prevention is far easier than repair.
Conclusion
Armadillos might seem like harmless backyard visitors, but their constant digging can lead to expensive property damage. By keeping your yard clear of food sources, sealing entry points, and improving soil conditions, you can stop them before they settle in.
If armadillos have already started to dig around your home, Nextgen Pest Solutions can help. Our wildlife specialists create customized prevention and control plans designed for Florida’s unique soil and climate.
Protect your home, your yard, and your peace of mind by acting before the next armadillo arrives.
