Dealing with armadillos

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Nine-banded armadillos (affectionately known as “possums on a half-shell” in my family) were originally native to South and Central America. They were first seen in Texas in the mid 1800’s. They crossed the Red River into Oklahoma in the early 1900’s. They’ve been spreading north ever since. Their range now includes most of the southeast U.S., and people have seen them as far north as Omaha, Nebraska. Frozen ground and dry conditions keep them out. So far they haven’t spread west, but as USDA growing zones slowly march north, so, too, do armadillos.

Armadillos’ primary food source is insects. They’re marginally omnivorous, but they mostly like to dig for grubs, ants, and burrowing bugs with front feet that are designed for excavation. It’s this habit that often puts them in conflict with gardeners. This is because a hungry ’dillo can dig up a vegetable patch overnight if they’re having good luck finding grubs among your precious plants.

I like to joke that I don’t mind my armadillos because they aerate my yard for free, no labor needed. And truth be told, that’s more accurate than not. They also don’t get into my flower beds very often, and I think there are a few reasons for that.

Other gardeners may argue the point, but I mulch with wood chips. I don’t think armadillos like digging in areas with wood chip mulch. They usually leave my wood chip mulched beds alone. Sometimes I’ll get some digging when my mulch runs thin.

I think it also helps that many of my beds are raised. Armadillos have poor eyesight, and when they hit a barrier like the wall of a raised bed, they just turn aside rather than try to go over the obstacle. For this reason, small, sturdy fences can also be effective at protecting garden areas.

The third reason I don’t have problems with armadillos hurting my gardens is that they find greener pastures elsewhere, so to speak. I don’t rake leaves in fall, and I don’t treat my yard with insecticides or herbicides. I have insects everywhere. Honestly, I think armadillos have better luck finding their favorite foods under the leaf litter and rich dirt beneath my trees. Mind you, they can thoroughly dig up patches of yard. However, I don’t mind because such disturbance can actually be healthy for the soil. (Plus, I’ve already established in previous blogs that I don’t have much of a lawn, anyway.)

I’ve heard some people suggest that spreading cayenne pepper or coyote pee in vulnerable areas is also helpful at deterring armadillos. Although, I’ve never tried those methods myself. Apparently, electric fences can work.

Something else to keep in mind: Armadillos tend to hit an area for a few days, and then move on. Mine have never continued to dig in an area for more than a few nights at a time. If you get rid of the grubs and insects they’re digging for, they’ll leave even sooner, or not bother those areas in the first place.

If you haven’t had the pleasure (or pain) of dealing with armadillos because you live too far north, just wait a few years. They’re heading your way, and now you know how to deal with them.

Meet Leslie Miller

Leslie Ann Miller shares 3.5 acres in rural Oklahoma with birds, butterflies and wide variety of animals. She is currently transforming her yard with plantings…

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