Armadillos and Humans: Safety, Coexistence, and Control Tips

Armadillos and Humans: Safety, Coexistence, and Control TipsArmadillos are small to medium-sized mammals known for their armored shells, digging habits, and nocturnal lifestyles. While many people find them fascinating, armadillos can sometimes create conflicts with humans by damaging lawns, gardens, or structures, and by carrying diseases. This article explains armadillo biology and behavior, outlines safety concerns, offers practical coexistence strategies, and provides humane control and exclusion tips.

About armadillos: biology and behavior

Armadillos belong to the order Cingulata. The most widespread species in North America is the nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus). Key facts:

• Nocturnal and crepuscular: most active at night and around dawn/dusk.
• Strong diggers: they dig for insects, grubs, and for nesting; they also dig burrows for shelter.
• Omnivorous insectivores: diet includes insects (ants, beetles), worms, small vertebrates, fruit, and plant matter.
• Armor-like shell: a protective carapace made of bony plates covered by tough skin.
• Excellent sense of smell: they locate food primarily by scent rather than sight.
• Reproductive note: nine-banded armadillos often give birth to four genetically identical young (quadruplets).

Armadillos tend to prefer warm climates with soft soils and abundant insect prey. Their range has been expanding northward in recent decades.

Health and safety concerns

• Leprosy (Hansen’s disease): Some armadillos in the southern United States can carry Mycobacterium leprae. Human infection from armadillos is rare but documented. Avoid handling or skinning wild armadillos; do not consume their meat.
• Other pathogens and parasites: as with many wild mammals, armadillos can carry ticks, fleas, and intestinal parasites. Use standard hygiene: wash hands after outdoor work and avoid contact with spotted or sick animals.
• Property damage: digging for food can create shallow holes in lawns and gardens; burrows may undermine foundations, decks, or culverts if left unchecked.
• Road hazards: armadillos often freeze or curl up when frightened and are frequently struck by vehicles, creating a cleanup/safety issue on roads.

If you or a pet is bitten or scratched, seek medical attention and report the incident to local health authorities if infection is suspected.

Coexistence strategies

Living near armadillos doesn’t require drastic measures. Try these nonlethal steps first:

• Reduce attractants:
  • Eliminate ground-level food sources (fallen fruit, accessible pet food).
  • Control lawn insect populations with natural or targeted methods if infestations are severe.
• Make habitat less inviting:
  • Fill in spaces under decks and porches with hardware cloth or concrete.
  • Remove brush piles, dense ground cover, and excessive mulch where armadillos might forage or nest.
• Use landscaping adjustments:
  • Switch to native plants and ground covers less likely to harbor large numbers of insects.
  • Maintain firm, well-drained soil in areas you want to protect.
• Scare tactics (limited effectiveness):
  • Motion-activated lights, sprinklers, or noise devices can deter nocturnal visits temporarily but often lose effectiveness as animals habituate.
• Pets:
  • Supervise pets outdoors at night; dogs may chase or catch armadillos, which risks injury and disease exposure for both.

Humane exclusion and control

When armadillos cause repeated damage or create structural risks, physical exclusion and habitat modification are the most effective humane options.

Fencing:

• Install a buried fence made of 1/4–1/2-inch hardware cloth or woven wire with mesh small enough to prevent digging through.
• Bury the fence at least 12–18 inches and angle the bottom outward away from the protected area (an L-footer) to deter digging.
• For large areas, a fence height of 2–3 feet is sufficient since armadillos do not typically climb.

Burrow management:

• Identify active burrows by fresh digging and tracks.
• Exclusion rather than destruction: block entrances by installing one-way doors on burrow openings that allow animals to leave but not re-enter; consult wildlife professionals for guidance.
• Do not use carbon monoxide, poison, or flooding as control methods—these are inhumane, often illegal, and ineffective.

Trapping and relocation:

• Check local laws: live trapping and relocation are illegal in many jurisdictions and often prohibited due to disease and animal welfare concerns.
• If trapping is legal where you live, hire a licensed wildlife control professional who follows humane, legal protocols. Professionals can assess whether translocation or euthanasia is the most appropriate option.

Chemical repellents:

• Most commercial repellents have limited or inconsistent effectiveness on armadillos. Use with caution and according to label instructions; avoid broad pesticide use that harms non-target species and soil health.

When to call professionals

Contact a licensed wildlife control operator or local wildlife agency if:

• Armadillos have created burrows under a foundation, shed, or septic system.
• You suspect a sick or injured armadillo on your property.
• Repeated damage persists despite exclusion and habitat modification.
• You are unsure about local laws regarding capture, relocation, or euthanasia.

Choose a professional who uses humane, science-based methods and understands local disease risks and regulations.

Quick checklist

• Do: seal spaces under structures, remove food attractants, use buried fencing, supervise pets.
• Don’t: handle, feed, or attempt to euthanize wild armadillos yourself; don’t use poisons or flooding.
• Call pros for burrow exclusion under buildings, legal/trapping questions, or injured animals.

Armadillos can be fascinating neighbors when managed humanely. With simple habitat adjustments, exclusion measures, and respect for wildlife-health risks, most conflicts are preventable or resolvable without harm.