Signs of Armadillos in Citrus County, FL

 

7 Signs You Have an Armadillo in Your Yard

You wake up one morning and discover fresh holes scattered throughout your lawn. Your flower beds have been dug up overnight, and there's loose soil piled near your porch. If this sounds familiar, an armadillo may be the culprit.

Armadillos are becoming increasingly common throughout Citrus County, including Crystal River, Homosassa, Inverness, Lecanto, Beverly Hills, Hernando, and Floral City. While these unusual-looking animals aren't aggressive toward people, they can cause significant damage to lawns, landscaping, irrigation systems, and even structures if left alone.

Here are the most common signs you're dealing with an armadillo.

1. Small Cone-Shaped Holes Throughout Your Lawn

This is the classic sign of armadillo activity.

As they search for insects, grubs, earthworms, and beetle larvae, armadillos leave behind dozens of cone-shaped holes that are typically 3 to 5 inches deep and only a few inches across.

Unlike moles, armadillos don't create raised tunnels beneath the surface. Instead, they dig individual feeding holes that often appear overnight.

2. Burrows Under Structures

Armadillos don't just feed in your yard.

They often create large burrows beneath:

• Concrete patios

• Air conditioning pads

• Decks

• Sheds

• Porches

• Foundations

• Brush piles

Their burrows can measure 7 to 10 inches wide and extend several feet underground. Over time, repeated digging can contribute to erosion and undermine soil supporting hardscapes or other structures.

3. Damage Appears Overnight

Armadillos are primarily nocturnal.

If your lawn looks perfectly normal in the evening but resembles a miniature construction site the following morning, there's a good chance an armadillo visited during the night.

Many homeowners never actually see the animal because it has already returned to its burrow before sunrise.

4. Your Trash Cans Are Still Standing

One easy way to narrow down the culprit is to look at what isn't happening.

If:

• trash cans aren't tipped over,

• pet food hasn't been disturbed,

• bird feeders remain untouched,

yet your lawn has fresh digging, armadillos become much more likely.

Raccoons are interested in food around your home.

Armadillos are interested in what's underneath your lawn.

5. Damaged Flower Beds and Mulch

Fresh mulch and well-watered flower beds are prime feeding areas because they're full of insects.

Many homeowners first notice armadillos after finding:

• uprooted flowers,

• disturbed landscape edging,

• scattered mulch,

• freshly dug planting beds.

  
  

6. Tracks and Burrow Entrances

Although armadillos aren't always easy to spot, their tracks can tell the story.

Look for:

• four toes on the front feet,

• five toes on the rear feet,

• noticeable claw marks,

• trails leading toward brush, wooded areas, or burrows.

A freshly used burrow often has loose soil piled just outside the entrance.

7. The Damage Keeps Getting Worse

Armadillos rarely stop after one night.

Once they've found a reliable food source, they'll often return repeatedly, creating more holes and additional burrows over time.

The longer they're allowed to remain, the more extensive the damage typically becomes.

What People Often Mistake for Armadillo Damage

Not every hole in the yard is caused by an armadillo.

Here's a quick comparison.

Raccoons

• Tipped garbage cans

• Roof or attic noises

• Torn sod while searching for grubs

• Paw prints around the home

Moles

• Raised tunnels

• Soft ridges beneath the grass

• Volcano-shaped mounds

Squirrels

• Small digging around trees

• Buried nuts

• Chewed entry points into homes

Dogs

• Larger, irregular holes

• Digging concentrated in one area

• Obvious paw prints

Correctly identifying the animal is the first step toward solving the problem.

Are Armadillos Dangerous?

Generally, armadillos avoid people and pets.

However, they can:

• create trip hazards,

• damage irrigation systems,

• undermine structures,

• destroy expensive landscaping.

There is also a small risk associated with armadillos carrying the bacteria that causes Hansen's disease (leprosy), although transmission to humans is uncommon. Avoid handling wild armadillos directly.

How We Remove Armadillos

At Nature-Tech Wildlife Solutions, we start by confirming the animal responsible before placing any traps.

Our process includes:

• Property inspection

• Identification of active burrows and travel routes

• Strategic trap placement

• Humane removal

• Recommendations to help reduce future problems

Because every property is different, we tailor our approach to the specific conditions at your home.

Frequently Asked Questions

What attracts armadillos to my yard?

They're usually searching for grubs, beetle larvae, earthworms, and other insects. Moist soil, healthy lawns, mulch beds, and irrigated landscaping can all attract them.

Will armadillos leave on their own?

Sometimes, but if they've found a dependable food source or established a burrow, they often return repeatedly.

Do armadillos damage foundations?

They typically don't damage concrete directly, but burrowing beneath patios, slabs, porches, or other structures can remove supporting soil over time.

Can I fill in an armadillo burrow?

It's best to confirm the burrow is no longer active before filling it. Sealing an occupied burrow can create additional problems.

Need Help With an Armadillo Problem?

If your yard is covered with fresh holes or you've discovered a burrow under your home, don't wait for the damage to spread.

Nature-Tech Wildlife Solutions proudly provides professional wildlife removal services throughout Crystal River, Homosassa, Inverness, Lecanto, Beverly Hills, Hernando, Floral City, and surrounding Citrus County communities.

We'll identify exactly what's damaging your property and recommend the safest, most effective solution.

Call us today for a FREE inspection! 352.783.5594