I have been getting calls about armadillos in the yards. Due to the lack of rainfall, armadillos move into yards where there is moisture, insects and worms.
Armadillos weigh between 8 to 17 pounds and can be around 30 inches long including the tail.
Armadillos are grey in color and their body is covered with a protective shell or body armor.
They have nine movable bands across the back and the tail is covered with a series of overlapping rings.
The gestation period for armadillos is five months. Armadillos have one litter per year born in March or April. Armadillos have a litter of quadruplet babies with the litter all being the same sex.
Armadillos are active primarily during twilight hours through early morning. Armadillo’s diet consists of insects, such as grub worms, as well as a earthworms, scorpions, spiders, other invertebrates, small amounts of fruits, vegetables, berries and tender roots. Armadillos are fast runners when in danger. They have poor eyesight but a keen sense of smell and are also good swimmers.
Armadillos are burrowing animals. The front feet of the armadillo are well adapted for digging.
Their burrows can be 7-8 inches in diameter and up to 15 feet in length. Burrows are most common around rock piles, stumps, brush piles and even around barns and homes. Armadillos dig a number of burrows in an area to use for escape.
If armadillos are causing damage to your property, there are some things you can do.
As with any animal, be sure to check with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department before you control or relocate the animal species.
Trapping is one means of control. Cage trapping can be an effective way to capture an armadillo causing damage. Although it is legal to trap armadillos, be sure to check with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department before you trap or relocate the animal species.
Traps should be placed in trails near fences or beside buildings. If the burrow is located, the trap can be placed at the entrance of the burrow.
Trapping for armadillos may be more effective if two long boards are used on either side of the trap to funnel the animal into the trap.
Traps can be baited with ripe or spoiled fruit that attracts flies and other insects. Some even use worms placed in nylon stockings or other containers.
Insecticides applied to the lawn may also offer some control. The insecticides reduce the food source for the armadillo; thus, they will eventually move on to find another food source.
If using this method, be sure to read and follow all label recommendations for using insecticides in your lawn. There are no fumigants, repellents or toxicants registered to control armadillos.
For more information contact the Erath County Extension Office at 254.965.1460 Educational programs of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or veteran status.
The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating