Armadillo Trapping Services in South Florida

Expert Armadillo Removal Across Palm Beach & Broward Counties

Nine-banded armadillos have become increasingly common throughout South Florida, creating unique challenges for property owners in our service region. These armored mammals can cause extensive damage to lawns, gardens, and landscaping through their persistent digging behavior. Western Wildlife Control provides specialized armadillo trapping and exclusion services throughout Indian River, Saint Lucie, Martin, Palm Beach, and Broward Counties, helping restore and protect your property from these destructive diggers.

Armadillo Behavior in South Florida

South Florida’s sandy soils and abundant insect populations create perfect conditions for armadillo populations. These nocturnal foragers spend most of their active hours digging for insects, grubs, and other invertebrates. A single armadillo can consume up to 40,000 ants in one feeding session, but this beneficial behavior comes at the cost of significant property damage.

Armadillos are surprisingly strong diggers, capable of excavating burrows up to 20 feet long and several feet deep. They prefer areas with loose, well-draining soil and often establish multiple burrow systems across their territory. During Florida’s dry season, armadillos may increase their digging activity as they search for moisture and concentrated insect populations.

Identifying Armadillo Damage

Armadillo activity creates distinctive damage patterns that experienced wildlife professionals can easily identify:

• Small, cone-shaped holes throughout lawns and gardens
• Damaged sprinkler systems and underground utilities
• Disturbed mulch and plant roots
• Burrow entrances near foundations, porches, or structures
• Tracks showing distinctive three-toed impressions
• Damaged sod that appears “rooted up” in systematic patterns

Professional Armadillo Trapping Methods

Successful armadillo trapping requires understanding their behavioral patterns and preferred travel routes. These animals follow established pathways between feeding areas and burrow sites, creating predictable movement patterns that skilled trappers can exploit.

Our technicians use specialized traps designed specifically for armadillo capture, positioning them along fence lines, building foundations, and other travel corridors. Unlike many wildlife species, armadillos rely primarily on their sense of smell and touch rather than vision, requiring different baiting and placement strategies.

Patience and persistence are essential for armadillo trapping success. These animals can be trap-shy and may alter their behavior patterns if initial attempts are unsuccessful. Our experienced team monitors activity patterns and adjusts trap placement as needed to ensure effective capture.

Armadillo Health and Safety Concerns

While armadillos pose minimal direct health risks to humans, they can carry leprosy (Hansen’s disease), though transmission is extremely rare. More common concerns involve property damage and the potential for structural issues when burrows are excavated near foundations or utility lines.

Armadillo burrows can create safety hazards for people and pets, particularly in areas with heavy foot traffic. These holes can cause injuries and create liability concerns for property owners. Additionally, burrow systems can compromise irrigation systems and landscape stability.

Long-Term Armadillo Prevention

Effective armadillo control extends beyond trapping to include habitat modification and exclusion strategies. Reducing insect populations through proper lawn care can make properties less attractive to these foragers. However, complete insect elimination is neither practical nor environmentally sound.

Physical barriers can effectively prevent armadillo access to vulnerable areas. We install underground fencing around gardens, structures, and other sensitive areas using materials that extend below ground level to prevent digging underneath. Proper drainage management can also reduce the moisture conditions that attract both armadillos and their insect prey.

Regular property maintenance and prompt burrow filling help discourage return activity. Our team provides detailed guidance on landscape practices that reduce armadillo attractants while maintaining healthy, attractive outdoor spaces.