The other night, our dog was making an unholy ruckus out in the front yard. The kids were trying to sleep, so I went outside to see what she was going nuts about. As soon as I saw them, I laughed. Our silly dog had a pair cornered. A male and a female, and as armadillos tend to be solitary it made me laugh harder when I realized what the dog interrupted. It is springtime, after all.
Now, I didn't know that much about armadillos. So, I didn't know i we needed to do something about them, if our kids might be in danger, or if they might have some mischief planned for the garden or the chickens. So, off I went to do some research.
I went to Wikipedia first to get some quick ideas. But I learned more from Joshua Nixon's website.
Armadillo-Online It's worth a read if you want more information than I provide here. He knows his armadillos, and has done plenty of homework already. An excellent and valuable resource on the subject.
So, are my dog or cats in danger?
Nope. Armadillos are not aggressive unless cornered and threatened, and given the chance, they will flee. They have strong legs, and can jump pretty high all things considered. Our mutt is part greyhound, and they outran her. Now, to be fair, she was excited and tryin to chase them in two different directions at once, but they are pretty darn quick and mobile for something that looks like a rat turtle.
But, they carry leprosy!
Yes, some of them do, and it has been transmitted to humans. Humans who like their armadillo a little too rare. When properly cooked, there is minimal danger. Then again, for humans there really is no danger, unless you eat them.
So, even my chickens are safe?
This was my worry. But in order for an armadillo to want to eat a chicken, it has to be dead first. Armadillos prefer insects, soft plant shoots, and carrion.
They are tearing up my yard!
Well, you can get used to it and wait them out, or you can move north. They don't like tundra. You can also build fences, or trap them and move them to a more remote area. Some people prefer 00 Buckshot as a solution. While this is effective, it is also not really needed. Unless you plan to eat them, in which case, cook them thoroughly.
They are destroying my garden!
Well, maybe. Raccoon, Possum, and other nocturnal omnivores are more likely. Armadillos like to dig in softer earth to look for insects and worms and such. While they will partake of your fresh produce from time to time, it will usually be eating the leftovers from other invaders. Even a small fence will keep the armadillos out, as they will normally go around, to find easier food elsewhere.
Burrows! They are digging under everything!
Ok, this can be a problem, as it can let other animals in, or erode away under the foundations of buildings. For solutions to these problems, I will refer to Joshua Nixon's wonderful
website again.
Armadillos eat insects. While they will tear up your yard looking for earthworms and grubs, they will not stay long. They have a range they prefer, but are not as territorial as other animals are. They will move on, and you can do your yard repairs. Nothing to worry about, and no need for extermination.
