Armadillo is a Spanish word which means "little armored one." This refers to the bony plates that cover the back, head, legs and tail of these odd-looking creatures. If you get close enough, you might see their pointy snout or itty bitty eyes. ("Fun" fact: Even though you could get close to one, you don't want to. Armadillos carry the bacteria that's associated with human leprosy. If humans can actually contact leprosy through interaction with infected armadillos is still debated; however, I'm betting you're not interested in testing out that theory.) Closely related to anteaters and sloths, these mammals can be known to sleep up to 16 hours a day. #MustBeNice #WeekendGoals
Over the past couple of years, we've noticed armadillos moving into the St. Louis area. They're moving from south to north & from the west to the east. Springtime is one of the more prevalent times of year that they migrate because they don't like freezing temperatures. #JoinTheClub As temperatures warm up, the food sources for armadillos, insects & vegetation, become more plentiful and these guys are starting to get cozy in St. Louis. They usually travel in pairs, or even small groups. The first signs you might notice if an armadillo has moved into your yard might be tracks in the dirt or mud. Armadillo tracks look like 3 long toe prints with a sharp claw on the tip. Their scaly tails drag behind them as they move and appear as a line drawn in the soil.
The most common damage caused by armadillos is divot holes they make in the ground with their strong feet and claws as they dig their burrows. The holes range in size but are typically from 1-3" deep and 3-5" wide. Their burrows can have openings of 7-8" wide and be upwards of 15 feet in length underground. Here's a picture of an armadillo burrow opening:
Live trapping is the only real way of controlling them. Fencing around your property can help deter armadillos; however, they can climb over fences and burrow underneath them. The only effective fencing would need to be installed at a 40-degree outward angle and be recessed in the ground at least 12 inches. You'd have to contact a specialized contractor for the fencing but Blue Chip does offer live trapping options if you ever encounter any armadillos in your yard.
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