Signs of Armadillo Damage: How to Know If You Have an Armadillo Problem

Armadillos can cause significant damage to your property through their digging and burrowing habits. These armored mammals create holes while searching for insects, build extensive burrow systems, and can damage foundations, piping, and underground utility lines. They also destroy gardens and landscaping by uprooting plants and decimating root systems.

Finding the right signs of armadillo damage early is crucial – it helps you address the problem before serious structural damage occurs and makes control efforts more effective. While armadillos aren’t aggressive, they can carry diseases, and their excavation activities can create hazardous conditions on your property.

This guide will help you identify the key signs of armadillo presence, understand their behavior patterns, and determine if these animals are the source of damage on your property.

Where You’ll Find Armadillos

The nine-banded armadillo is the only species found in the United States, primarily inhabiting the southeastern region. If you live in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, Alabama, Kansas, or Florida, you’re in prime armadillo territory. However, these animals have been gradually expanding their range into adjacent states.
Armadillos prefer specific environments that make your property attractive to them:

• Areas with soft, loose soil that’s easy to dig
• Spots with dense vegetation or cover
• Locations near water sources
• Places with plenty of insects in the soil
• Warm or temperate climate zones

Since armadillos can’t survive well in cold conditions due to their low body fat and lack of thick fur, you’re unlikely to find them in northern states or high-altitude areas. However, climate change and warming temperatures are allowing them to expand their territory northward.

Primary Signs of Armadillo Activity

The most reliable way to confirm armadillo activity is to look for their distinctive damage patterns. Unlike some pests that leave ambiguous signs, armadillos create very specific types of damage due to their unique feeding and burrowing habits.

1. Holes and Burrows

Armadillos create two distinct types of holes:

Feeding Holes

• Small, shallow holes about 3-5 inches wide and 1-3 inches deep
• Often cone-shaped or funnel-like
• Usually appear in clusters across lawns or gardens
• May look like someone poked the ground repeatedly with a stick
• Frequently found in areas with soft, moist soil

Burrows

• Much larger: 7-8 inches in diameter and can extend up to 15 feet long
• Usually have a distinctive “U” shaped entrance
• Often found near:
  • Around building foundations
  • Near tree roots or stumps
  • Rock piles or brush
  • Under concrete slabs or porches
• A single armadillo may create up to 10 burrows in their territory

2. Lawn and Garden Damage

Armadillos can cause extensive damage to landscaping as they search for food. Look for these characteristic signs:

• Uprooted plants and flowers
• Damaged root systems leading to dead grass patches
• Disturbed mulch or garden beds
• Uneven lawn surface with multiple divots
• Areas where grass appears “rolled up” like carpet

3. Droppings

Armadillo droppings can help confirm their presence, though they’re not always easy to find as armadillos often bury them. Look for:

• Dark, pellet-shaped droppings about 1 inch long
• Droppings containing visible insect parts and soil
• Locations near burrows or feeding sites
• A distinctively strong, unpleasant odor

4. Tracks and Paths

Armadillos often create visible trails as they travel between feeding areas:

• Small footprints with distinctive claw marks (about 1 inch across)
• Narrow paths through vegetation (about 8 inches wide)
• Trails often connect multiple burrow entrances
• Visible track patterns along fences or other barriers

When to Look for Signs

Understanding armadillo activity patterns can help you spot their signs more effectively. These nocturnal animals are most active during specific times:

Time of Day

• Primary activity: Night, dawn, and dusk
• Peak summer activity: 2:00 AM to 5:00 AM
• Sleep schedule: About 16 hours during daylight

Seasonal Activity

• Most active: Spring and summer months when soil is soft
• Less active: Cold winter days when ground is harder
• Breeding season: Late summer into early fall

How to Distinguish from Other Pest Damage

Several other animals can create holes or damage similar to armadillos. Here’s how to tell the difference:

Armadillo vs. Skunk Damage

• Skunk holes are typically smaller and more scattered
• Skunks leave cone-shaped holes about 1-3 inches deep
• Skunk damage usually comes with a distinctive odor

Armadillo vs. Raccoon Damage

• Raccoons tend to dig larger, irregular patches
• Raccoon damage often appears in gardens or near water
• Raccoons leave behind torn vegetation and scattered debris

Armadillo vs. Gopher Damage

• Gopher holes are typically round with a soil plug
• Gophers create mounds of excavated soil
• Gopher damage focuses more on plant roots

When to Take Action

It’s important to address armadillo activity quickly if you notice:

• Burrows near building foundations
• Multiple feeding holes appearing nightly
• Significant lawn or garden damage
• Signs of structural damage from burrowing

If you’ve confirmed armadillo activity on your property, check out our guide on how to get rid of armadillos for effective control methods.