| |
Nine-banded
Armadillo
(Dasypus
novemcinctus)by
Bonnie Wroblewski |
| These three grunting
girls came in as orphans, found still trying to suckle from their deceased mother.
Now the identical siblings are excitedly learning how to hunt insects and dig
out other treats in their sand-filled pen. The armored trainees are already quite
adept at what most armadillos do for 19 hours a day: sleep. Piled on top of one
another, twitching with each particularly exciting dream, they manifest a comical
scene of tranquility. |
| Photo
courtesy Dove Key Ranch Wildlife Rehabilitation |
Armadillos in
Your Yard: Although
Shangri-la for an armadillo is a densely shaded wetland, packed full of grubs
in easily probed sandy soils, these armored omnivores scuttle through thorny scrubland
to bottomland woods to prairie grasslands and, most likely, your backyard.
Wherever
they may roam, these relatives of anteaters and sloths use their 32, peg-like,
non-enameled molars to chow down on their insect-rich diet. In fact, 90 % of what
they consume directly benefits pest-plagued landowners: fire ants and other native
ants, grubs and destructive insect larvae, caterpillars, termites, and even the
occasional carrion. In the process, armadillos aerate soil, helping with seed
germination and successful sprouting. However, when pickings are thin and/or when
drought conditions harden soil, these schnuffling mammals may seek out the softer
soils and insect-laden strata of your flowerbeds, well-manicured lawns, or vegetable
gardens. Armadillos generally are only a temporary disturbance to the suburban
landscape, continuing their foraging elsewhere once a locally abundant prey base
has been fully exploited.
For those who are a bit impatient or cannot
tolerate the diggings remaining from the armadillo’s free pest control services,
there are several humane and cheap methods to deter the grubbing of these grunting
neighbors. If an armadillo is focusing its nocturnal searchings in a limited area,
you can fence the intruder out. Ensure that the fencing has a rigid overhang that
extends for a foot or more at a 45 degree angle and be sure to bury the fencing
one foot or more to prevent the armadillo from either climbing over or digging
under the barricade. For a larger area of disruption, you can sprinkle cayenne
pepper, any type of chili powder, or Critter Ridder (http://www.havaheart.com)
over the affected region: one snort of the burning powder and the armored excavator
won’t be back for more. For more determined armadillos, a homeowner can remove
tall grass, brush, and rock piles, which provide areas of safety for these mammals.
In well-aired, open spaces, mothballs or ammonia-soaked rags can be strewn about
to offend the sensitive sense of smell of these insect-seekers. NEVER use mothballs,
ammonia, or any strong-scented alternative to evict an armadillo from a burrow
as it can cause serious health problems or even death to underground inhabitants,
especially juveniles.
Once an armadillo has settled on a territory, he/she
may construct as many as 15 burrows in a ten-acre range. Although most of these
excavations serve as emergency hiding areas or temporary retreats for relief from
the heat, some tunnels can wind 20 ft deep and have up to four entrances to an
elaborate network of subterranean domains. In February to April, female dasypodids
give birth to quadruplets 3-5 ft underground in a chamber delicately lined with
grass, leaves, and soft organic debris. Burrows not only provide shelter to armadillos
and their offspring, but also furnish homes for countless native wild denizens
of Texas, from (my favorite) skunks to toads to burrowing owls. Unfortunately,
the tunnelings of armadillos can also cause havoc for cattle
ranchers and the foundations of homes. Fortunately, many of the same solutions
to problems with foraging armadillos are applicable to situations involving burrowing
individuals. Once a habitat is deemed uninviting as a homestead, an armadillo
will move on to better terrain. Removing food sources (i.e. pet food left outside)
and zones of safety (tall vegetation and brush/rock piles) is the first step towards
evicting burrowing armadillos. A generous sprinkling of cayenne, chili powders,
or Critter Ridder in excavated areas is a more direct means to eradicate further
digging activities. If these methods fail, volunteers at Dove Key Ranch Wildlife
Rehabilitation are always prepared to coach you through mitigating armadillo damage.
With a bit of patience for your grunting, grumbling armadillo neighbors,
you can enjoy free pest control and entertainment, while protecting a distinctive
feature of the wilds of Texas.
©
Bonnie Wroblewski
http://www.dovekeywildlife.org
May 28, 2010
More
Dove Key Ranch Wildlife Rehabilitation - "Animal
of the Week" Series |
 |
| Photo
courtesy Dove Key Ranch Wildlife Rehabilitation |
| See
also
Armadillos by C. F. Eckhardt
This is gonna come as a surprise to a lot of folks, but armadillos are not native
to Texas. In fact, the very first armadillo ever identified in the Lone Star State
apparently crossed the Rio Grande near Brownsville in 1859... |
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