Animal Rangers Armadillo Information - Florida Animal Control

Contact Information
Toll Free: 1-800-248-RANGERS
(800-248-7264)
Fax: 1-888-754-3650
Email: info@animalrangers.com

Armadillos are members of the superorder Xenarthra, a group of placental mammals that only exists in the Americas. This
group is also represented by anteaters and tree sloths. Armadillos are omnivorous mammals with hard shell like bony
plates that overlap and cover most of their bodies. Armadillo is a Spanish word that means "little armored one." Their diet
mainly consists of grubs, beetles, ants, termites and other small invertebrates. Armadillos have very poor eyesight, yet
they have a very keen sense of smell. There are several varieties of armadillos, but only the familiar nine-banded armadillo
is common throughout Florida. Female nine-banded armadillos give live birth. A litter will almost always consist of 4
identical babies of the same gender.

Armadillos are an invasive non-native species in Florida. They thrive in the warm climate with plenty of food and ideal
living conditions. Armadillos have no significant natural predators to control their increasing populations. Armadillos are
often considered to be a nuisance because they can cause destruction to landscaping as they dig for food. They also dig
large burrows, usually underneath concrete foundations for shelter. These burrows can sometimes cause foundations to
weaken and crack. Armadillos are very tough animals and more likely to cause breaks to plumbing around pool pumps.
Armadillos are also carriers of leprosy and Chagas disease. Nuisance armadillos can be removed and controlled with the
help of local animal control services and wildlife management specialists. The state does not fund residential control
efforts of nuisance wild animals. It is recommended to contact a state registered trapper or wildlife specialist for
assistance in handling these types of problems.

Armadillos are not from the U.S. They have been migrating from the southern areas of North America for a half a century.
Armadillos can adapt, and continue to push north. Armadillos in South Florida are a real issue to some that wish to
protect their yards and landscapes from armadillo damage. Armadillos are common throughout Florida. Some of the
reasons armadillos might be migrating could be global warming, or humans pushing them out of their natural habitat.

If an armadillo is spotted where it shouldn’t be, such as in a home or business property, the animal should not be
approached. Call a professional armadillo trapper and armadillo animal control specialist, to ensure safe, humane removal
of the creatures from the property.

Armadillos dig to create their homes, called burrows. Armadillos like to use existing structures to dig their homes
underneath. Unfortunately, this is most likely going to be a porch, building, or house. Armadillos eat bugs, insects, and
grubs as natural food. To find their food, the armadillo must dig, and animal control and animal capture of armadillos is
required in these cases to prevent a private residence or business’s landscaping from being destroyed.

Armadillos are not desirable to have near a residence or business. Armadillos can carry many diseases and bacteria.
Anywhere children play is no place for an armadillo. Armadillo removal and control is vital to keep these pests from
passing on dangerous diseases, such as Chagas disease and leptospirosis.

How can you identify an armadillo? Armadillos have a strong odor. If you are near an Armadillo burrow you may be able
to smell them, especially if the armadillo is in some kind of distress. What should you do if you encounter or identify an
armadillo? Leave the armadillo to the professional trappers and professional armadillo control, as they can be carrying
bacteria or disease as mentioned before. They usually will make a noise like a small gurgle and run fast from humans.

Armadillos can cause many different sized holes in your yard or garden. Armadillos cause damage to landscaping and
yards through their natural instinct for digging. Armadillos are an armored mammal that has natural front limbs that help it
in the digging process. Of course, having an infestation of Armadillos is not desirable, and armadillo control and armadillo
removal is necessary when the wildlife creates a problem from digging.

How to get rid of an armadillo infestation? Professional animal control specialists at Animal Rangers will use specialized
traps to contain and remove the armadillos. Because of the tough nature of armadillo skin, unique, custom traps must be
used in their capture. Armadillo control and armadillo capture methods are humane, and include armadillo prevention and
repellant. It’s always best to let a professional capture and remove armadillos, to ensure all burrows and food sources are
eliminated, and that the armadillo can be removed safely.