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Out of 20 species of armadillos, only the nine-banded armadillo inhabited the land of the USA. And of course, it is a nine-banded armadillo if you spotted one in the yard or around the property. The name can be misleading as it can have more than nine bands on the shell.
But when do armadillos come out? Are they hibernating creatures? Should you be worried about them and take their presence seriously? If yes, what to do then?
Well, these are some chilling questions every homeowner or farmer might ask. If you are unfamiliar with this fascinating but nuisance creature, this article will provide the precise information you need to become familiar with it.
Let’s examine some interesting facts about armadillos to understand their nature better. This will later help you cope with them better.
Learn some facts about armadillos
These fascinating creatures have unique abilities. The armadillo is the only mammal with a shell on its back. It is also the only mammal that always gives birth to four identical quadruplets.
They have a strong shell on their back which can deflect small caliber bullets, especially the nine-banded ones.
As commonly believed, armadillos can roll into a ball, but only two types can do so.
They have a strong sense of smell but poor sight, and their physical appearance varies slightly from species to species. They rely on their sense of hearing and smell to detect prey.
It can survive on land and water but prefers sandy and loose soil.
It primarily feeds on bugs and worms. However, it can also eat:
Seeds
Carrion
Fungus
Fruits
Beetles
Grubs
Spiders
Termites
Their immune system is not so strong, so diseases often affect them.
Once they find a suitable place, they can sleep up to 16 hours there.
Despite having heavy armor on its back, it is a pretty good swimmer. It inflates its stomach twice to its normal size to swim smoothly in large water bodies. To cross streams, it walks underwater. It can hold its breath for up to 6 minutes.
When do armadillos come out?
Due to their crepuscular and nocturnal nature, armadillos stay inside their burrows and emerge at dawn, dusk, and night.
Night is the time when you are most likely to spot it. They will mostly come out in a warm climate.
They do not hibernate. Instead, they dig deep burrows and remain inside during the cold. They can come out in the winter when the temperature is bearable, as they are sensitive to low temperatures. However, it is rare.
They come out of their burrows in search of food and water. They are good to have around your property as they help control the insect population. Farmers can benefit from them and keep their gardens clean from pests. However, there is a downside, which I will mention later.
Are Armadillos Dangerous to Humans or Pets?
No, they are not dangerous as they usually avoid interaction with humans due to their timid nature.
They do not bite humans and do not kill pets like dogs and cats.
However, one thing can make them dangerous to humans and pets. And that is the diseases they carry.
There are some cases of armadillos that carried rabies. However, it is pretty rare.
But they are known to carry leprosy. The disease can be transmitted to humans through consumption and contact. Yes, people eat armadillos and claim that they taste like pork.
Their shell can protect them from various threats, but not from getting caught under vehicles. That is why they are common roadkill.
Armadillos are known to jump pretty high, up to 5 feet, when they feel threatened. Therefore, their collision with vehicles can cause accidents.
Can they be considered a nuisance?
Of course, and there are several reasons for this. They have a strong sense of smell. If your garden has fruit and plant materials, it can attract them.
When they feel threatened, they can make loud and annoying sounds.
They dig burrows in the soil up to 15 feet deep. They will quickly ruin your garden if you do nothing to stop them. They dig very fast—they can dig a deep hole in just 15 minutes!
Surprisingly, armadillos can run up to 30 miles per hour. So, catching them is difficult.
What do armadillos hate the most?
As I mentioned earlier, they have a strong sense of smell and taste. Anything with a strong smell effectively deters them. Spreading garlic, chilli, peppermint, and other spicy items will keep them away from your garden.
Spraying peppermint spray or a cayenne pepper and water solution on fruits and vegetables will discourage them from eating.
Due to their nocturnal nature, they hate bright lights and loud sounds. Motion-activated alarms and lights will effectively deter them.
They also hate it when someone destroys their burrows or the soil is too hard to dig.
How Blythewood Wildlife Removal Can Help with Armadillo Issues in Your Area?
Trapping or luring them through baits is difficult. Also, repellents are temporary solutions. So, home remedies are not enough. They damage the garden significantly, and you need a proper strategy to prevent their invasion.
Blythewood Wildlife Removal is an expert agency in this field. Our team inspects a garden to identify their signs and install traps to catch them. If you suspect their presence, call us urgently at 1-803-760-9166 before it is too late.
We provide wildlife removal services across South Carolina.
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