Armadillos in North Carolina
Nine-banded armadillos have been steadily expanding their range northward and are now established in the Raleigh-Triangle area. Originally native to the southern United States and Central America, armadillos have been spotted with increasing frequency across Wake County and surrounding areas.
While armadillos don't invade attics or chew through your home, they cause significant damage to lawns, gardens, and landscaping by digging. Their powerful claws can tear up sod, flower beds, and mulch overnight as they root for grubs, earthworms, and insects in the soil.
Signs of Armadillo Activity
- Cone-shaped holes (3-5 inches deep) scattered across your lawn
- Torn-up mulch beds and overturned soil in gardens
- Burrows near foundations, under decks, or along fence lines (can be up to 8 inches in diameter)
- Damaged root systems of plants, shrubs, and small trees
Armadillo Damage to Your Property
Beyond cosmetic lawn damage, armadillo burrows near foundations can undermine structural integrity. Their extensive tunnel systems — which can extend 15 feet or more — can compromise walkways, driveways, and patios. Armadillos are also the only animal besides humans known to carry leprosy (Hansen's disease), though transmission to humans is extremely rare.
Professional Armadillo Trapping
Armadillos are notoriously difficult to trap because they don't respond to bait like other wildlife. Successful armadillo trapping requires strategic placement of live traps along their established travel routes and burrow entrances. Rapid Wildlife Removal has the experience to identify armadillo patterns and place traps for maximum effectiveness.