Armadillo invasion!
So I was talking on the phone with my mom yesterday afternoon, telling her how something had been digging up my new beds for four nights in a row. “New plants pushed out of the ground, the mulch thrown aside, the soil torn up like someone dragged a hoe through it,” I complained. “I think it must be an armadillo. So I went around yesterday and plugged up all the gaps under the fences with rock and wood scraps. It worked. This morning the garden was untouched. I really fixed him, I guess!”
Just then I happened to be looking out through the French doors. Something the size of an opossum, with a strange humped body, ambled across the patio. My self-congratulation died on my lips, replaced by an astonished cry, “There’s an armadillo on my patio—right now! In broad daylight! I’ve gotta go!”
I darted out the door, my animal-crazy daughter at my heels, my curious husband tagging along. No, there was not an armadillo in our yard. There were three! I dashed back inside for my camera, my husband muttering, “You’re going to blog about it?”, and my daughter laughing with glee as she reached for one’s tail. I got back outside in time to see the ‘dillos squeezing under a section of fence I’d thought too small for one to fit under.
They weren’t particularly frightened of us, and their vision seemed poor. When we finally chased them off, they ran and leaped hilariously, but it would have been easy to catch one. What bizarrely cute creatures! Having done a little research tonight, I’ve learned that they eat a lot of insects and ants, not to mention scorpions, so they don’t sound all bad.
But try telling that to me in the morning if my new planting beds are torn up again.
All material © 2006-2009 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
So cute! Can we name them? Can we keep them? Please…
Only if we can keep your cute rabbits, Carol. 😉 —Pam
I think armadillos are fascinating. They do seem to be nonchalant about humans. However every one I have tried to touch has moved so fast that I couldn’t touch them. I hope they move on and don’t keep your garden torn up. Marvin, who lives in AK says they have been very destructive in his garden.
Yes, they are very destructive. But last night was safe again. I don’t really think I’ve blocked them, but they’re leaving me alone right now. —Pam
They are cute! Now, if you could get them to stay outside the fence to defend your garden from bad insects…
Cameron
Yes, that would be preferable. However, they are attracted, like deer, to new beds and freshly turned earth. Plus they’re eating lots of beneficial earthworms. —Pam
Your story made me laugh, we had armadillos in Killeen. There was a t-shirt with armadillos on it (wearing Texas t-shirts drinking Lone Star beer) and we wrote a silly song to go along with it. If I can remember where the words are I will send them along to you. What a riot, but they can be destructive.
Yes, that’s how it was. I was lamenting their destructiveness one moment, and laughing at their antics the next. —Pam
They are cute, but if having that cute around means torn up beds, then I vote they have to go. My MIL in Florida complains about them tearing up her vegetable garden every year.
They’re a bit of a menace, as I’m quickly learning. I’m glad to have seen them but ready for them to move on now. —Pam
This sounds very much like my groundhog–outwitting me at every turn, LOL! The funny thing is, is someone from Michigan, armadillos are the stuff of legend, kind of like jackalopes in that we don’t necessarily believe they’re real. But with this new photographic evidence, I believe. They just look so prehistoric and… improbable!
What? You don’t believe in jackalopes, Monica? Why, I see stuffed ones hanging on the wall at many a burger joint around town. Doesn’t that mean they’re real? —Pam
Yes, armadillos eat bugs – good ones and bad ones, as well as earth worms. They are lazy and will dig wherever the soil is soft and moist – your flowerbeds and vegetable gardens. They completely destroyed several flats of seedlings one year, including some specialty plants my daughter had bought me. Armadillos are nearly blind, so they can’t see you until you get close. But you shouldn’t try to catch them with your bare hands – they have sharp toenails for digging and they are carriers of human-type leprosy. I have lived in rural North Florida most of my life and I have a fight with them every year. That said, I don’t think they are cute and I don’t like them at all so since we are in a rural area, my husband takes care of them the old fashioned way.
I’m sorry about your seedlings, Melody. I know how frustrating it is to see the damage they do to new plants. —Pam
Eeeeeeeew, I don’t like armadillos. I never liked the whole idea of the leprosy threat. They say only 15% of the population is infected, but the highest numbers are in Texas and Louisiana and it can be transmitted to humans. From what I understand the 9 banded ones are the most prevalent carriers. I couldn’t tell a 9 banded one from a 15 banded one.
I think you just count the bands, Randy. The one above looks like a 9-banded. From the research I did online, it looks like central Texas armadillos have little risk of being leprosy carriers. It’s mostly along the coast, for whatever reason. —Pam
Cute but destructive. Not the best for the garden but cute to look at. I love his little armored jacket!(-:
I do too. Even though I knew these three were the guilty parties, I couldn’t be mad at them when we saw them moseying across the lawn. —Pam
Those armadillos are cute — I’m sure they’re just telling you, in their own way, how glad they are that you’ve come to the neighborhood. We had yet another possum last night — one of our dogs caught it, and it went into its classic catatonic state, but the dog was gentle enough that she dropped it and came inside, and the possum went on its way when it woke up. The other big dog kept me up all night wanting to go find it, though…
Our old fox terrier used to love hunting possums. She caught a couple in her day and was, unfortunately, not so gentle as your dog. They weren’t playing dead when she finished with them, making for an unpleasant surprise for us in the morning when we found them. —Pam
This is a great article (.pdf) on leprosy and armadillos and man. I wouldn’t worry.
Thanks for the info, Cheryl. —Pam
Your photos are the closest I’ve come to an armadillo! Boy are they hairy little guys! Good luck keeping them out! Gail
Thanks, Gail. I’m trying! —Pam
Ugh, I know first hand how destructive they can be. They are super powerful diggers. But truly fascinating looking!
Yeah, just look at those digging claws. Those earthworms and grubs don’t stand a chance. —Pam
Very cool photos! Thanks so much. Probably the same as my raccoon problem. I think they look pretty cute, but I really don’t like for them to use my water lilies as desert….
I didn’t know raccoons would eat water lilies. I’ve heard about them knocking over plants in order to get at the fish. Good grief! —Pam
OOOH DILLOS!!! We don’t have them in New Zealand and I’ve never met one in person but man are they cool looking little beasties – leprosy or not. Apparently they smell like bad armpits…
I didn’t notice a smell, Kerole. I didn’t get that close. But they are pretty wild looking, aren’t they? —Pam
Adorable! Well, in your garden and on their way out of your yard. If they return, let me know. My dog has scared away many on our camping trips.
A dog wouldn’t certainly do the trick. But then you’ve got the issue of dogs and flower beds…. 😉 —Pam
So your instincts were right! Not that I’m surprised. Great photos–I’ve never seen armadillos in daylight. Maybe they’ll learn to hang out in the front yard with the deer.
Great fun meeting you yesterday! Husband and I watched tennis and drank Prosecco again this morning. Back to the real world tomorrow!
It was fun to meet you both! And to enjoy a glass of Prosecco. Thanks again! —Pam
Omigosh! I am so sorry. I hope your laughter sent them off in shame! Let us know how your garden fares tonight … I’ll be eager to hear. At least you saw one place where they fit through.
A few nights later, and so far so good. I think we gave them a fright. But I wouldn’t put it past them to come back and dig under the fence. It wouldn’t be hard for them at all, I realize, having seen those claws. —Pam
This brings back fond memories of my first encounters with armadillos when I was thirteen and moved to Louisiana. I was completely fascinated with them. My rat terrier dog and I would chase them into one of there food digging holes. Then I’ll hold tight to their tails while my dog dug them out. Then I’d haul them home and get to keep them maybe 8 hours before my mom made me turn them loose.
It’s true that they carry a leprosy-like disease but it doesn’t affect us. They are also able to be infected with human leprosy and were valuable research animals at Carville, the Leprosarium that used to be in south Louisiana.
I’ve found its a lot harder to catch them without the help of a good dog.
My grandson and I are still trying to get our first one.
You sound just like my daughter, Marilyn. Her first instinct was to grab hold of one’s tail, and then she got her hands on each side of another one’s banded middle. No thought whatsoever of leprosy or teeth or claws. Of course she knows now, and we had her immediately wash her hands. I’m still chuckling over your story about catching them with your dog. —Pam
Good Pics. They can tear up a lot. I had one here. Don’t know what happened to it. I’m glad it’s gone.
I bet you are! They sure do tear things up. —Pam
So Armadillos are the Austin equivalent of squirrels? They are cute, in a freaky kind of way. At least they can’t climb over fences.
Oh, we have squirrels too, MMD. Those do plenty of digging in my garden as well, but the armadillos were much worse. They can’t climb over fences, but they can easily dig under them. Argh! —Pam
My son was about 2 years old and we were camping at Garner State Park. Early one morning, my boy came toddling around the back of the tent saying, “Hey, mama, look what I found!”
He was walking right alongside a damn armadillo. I swear! I guess a toddler didn’t seem too threatening to a hungry, poor sighted, urbanized dillo.
It was hilarious. I think they’re fascinating. So prehistoric.
Funny story. Yes, these weren’t alarmed by us either until my daughter started grabbing at them. We chased them off after the pics, so maybe they’ll stay away for a while. —Pam
Very cute! I am glad you were able to see past the destruction to think they were too. And think to take pictures. Good luck with the battle!
Thanks, Lori. My daughter is designing armadillo traps in case they come around again. Of course, she wants to keep them as pets. —Pam
Pam-Cheeky little devils. They look to me like they are ripe for stuffing! Great shots.
Cheeky indeed! Now why can’t we have lovely foxes, as you do? —Pam
Your husband’s comment cracked me up! I’ve heard it a few times myself. Being a blogger does make you look at the world differently, doesn’t it? So many things that would have traumatized me before (like the near disaster of installing our water catchment tank) take on a whole new dimension, once you start thinking “Wow! This will make a great story for my blog!”
Must Feed The Blog! I know that feeling all too well. 🙂 —Pam
I saw one in the driveway one night and ran out and chased it away. Knock wood, it hasn’t returned. They are very destructive to gardens.
Good luck keeping yours at bay, Phillip. They seem most interested in freshly dug beds. —Pam
Okay Pam….must rename blog ‘Wild Kingdom’! Three! You have the whole family there. Love these pictures and this is the closest I have been to an armadillo also. They do have little hairs don’t they. Better than my poor daughter who called this morning to say that she has a rat, yes, a rat! in her apartment (a very nice apartment but in an old house). She is vacating until the exterminator produces actual evidence of a kill.
Ah yes, Austin has its share of rats too. Just lovely. Speaking of armadillo families, did you know that a female dillo always gives birth to identical quadruplets? So this wasn’t the whole family, I’m afraid. —Pam
Hey Pam – Love the pics. On one hand I think it’s great you’ve got wildlife visiting your garden – but I’m sure you’re not happy with their destruction. Hope you’ve been able to patch the holes so that they don’t come back visiting again. 🙂
So far so good, Chris. My fingers are crossed. —Pam
Fantastic, Pam! thanks for putting these photos out. Hope y’all reach detente somehow.
Raccoons have been our problem here in Travis Heights (also coyotes). We were worried that we had a mom and kittens under the house and so were reluctant to trap the adult. Instead, I learned that they really don’t like nasty smells – as in ammonia. We managed to spray some near where we’d heard so much rumbling at night and they vacated. Then we blocked their entry with rocks and have had no more disturbances — at least for the past four nights. They’re coming in through our neighbor’s cat door and opening cabinets. Bold!
We’ll see.
J.
Raccoons using cat doors, huh? That is not only bold but scary. I hear they can be ferocious when cornered. Good luck! —Pam
Great photos! I heard they have an atrocious odor. Did you smell it?
Aiyana
You’re the second person to mention armadillo odor, Aiyana, but we didn’t smell anything. Then again, I didn’t get that close. —Pam
Well, they’re just as cute as…an armadillo! I think they’re rather cute and seem to have a lot of personality. If they eat bugs, maybe you could work out something…
Brenda
They are welcome to the bugs on top of the soil, Brenda, but not those under the soil. And not the earthworms either. In fact, I think it’s best if they just find a new garden to root around in. —Pam
we’ve had them around here too..fortunately they are sticking to the very back where we haven’t really done anything garden wise…the goats live back there too. my father in law has relocated 15 of them since january up in georgetown. they made a mess of his perennial beds, now he traps them and takes them out to the lake to let them find another home there..haha!
We will resort to that if they return, Cat. They really made a mess of several of my new beds. —Pam
The only good Armadillo is a dead Armadillo!!!!
With a name like yours, I can see why you’d feel that way. 😉 —Pam
Love this entry Jean. They are so cute. Thanks for visiting my currently very sparse blog. Love yours and will read more soon!
No Jean here, but thanks for commenting. You didn’t leave a link, so I don’t know which blog is yours. But I’d be glad to visit if you leave a link, Laurie. —Pam
very cool photos! what a very texas pest. good luck with your plants!
Thanks, Josie. —Pam
Great photos!!! On one hand, you gotta be thankful they’re balancing out the grub/scorpion population…on the other, plants don’t like exposed roots… We finally resorted to staking down chicken wire around the ones that suffered repeat digs.
That’s a good idea, although I’m sure it wasn’t fun to have to resort to that. Thanks for the tip, Kathleen. —Pam
PS Armadillos can carry the bacteria that causes leprosy. Low percentage carry it–and it usually takes lots of exposure for a person to develop the disease, but it’s a good enough reason not to handle them–no touch, no risk.
Thanks for the additional info, Kathleen. —Pam
My 8 year-old was thrilled when I showed him your photos. Armadillos are his favorite animal–odd considering he’s never seen one. We will be in Austin this November and he’s hoping to see one. I told him the only ones I’ve seen are squashed on the road. I also thought they were nocturnal but guess I was wrong!
I agree with Paul’s comment above, however my motto is “the only good deer is a dead deer.” They do armadillos one better by not only causing property damage but tens of thousands of injuries and deaths to motorists. Give me an armadillo any day 🙂
It is somewhat unusual to see them during the day, Caroline, but we once saw another one in Zilker Botanical Garden during the day. I hope your son gets to see one, but I understand that they den up for the winter. November might be a little late for a sighting. —Pam
Well, I think they’re cute too! Even if they do dig up plants!
The cuteness factor probably diminishes with each subsequent sighting, Chookie, particularly if uprooted plants are their calling card. 😉 —Pam
We fight those buggers all the time too, and I think I have a bunny stuck in my garden, cause there’s a strange hop/rustle going on in the grass when I’m out there, and it’s too big for a frog. Silly blasted animals, but they are kinda cute in an ugly sort of way.~~Dee
I hope you get the bunny out of your garden, Dee. Sounds like Peter Rabbit found his way in and can’t remember where the exit is. —Pam
I am SUCH a softie when it comes to the varmints! I am waging war with a vole right now – I saw him, and he was just too cute – so I let him be, and now he’s eaten the roots out from under three tomato plants and ALL my beloved FENNEL!
I LOVE armadillos! Just look how daintily he was stepping across your lawn! Aw, shucks … too adorable! And that armor, so tough, but so comical! Yes, they ruin everything – but how amazing to see one, much less a whole little family!
What amazing pictures – you and your trusty camera!
He does have a dainty little step, doesn’t he? Yeah, they were cute little things, but only because they were LEAVING my garden, Germi. 😉 —Pam
yesterday from a distance and today close-up, I saw Michigan’s answer to an armadillo in my backyard–a snapping turtle! These things are big and prehistoric-looking and they move a LOT faster than turtles are purported to move. Eep!
I’ve only seen snappers in aquariums, Monica, and they ARE a bit on the creepy side. They say if one bites you it won’t let go until it hears thunder. 😉 —Pam
Those are amazing photos…you are simply a wonderful photographer! I can’t imagine seeing something like that in my garden.
Leslie, you are too kind. I was kicking myself over the blurriness and wishing I’d slowed down in my excitement to get a steadier shot. They were initially slow enough for me to have taken my time. 🙂 —Pam