Through rapid breeding, South American armadillos found their way to Gulf Coast states like Florida. Armadillos are mostly seen as harmless creatures and unfortunate victims of roadkill. However, with armadillo populations increasing in Florida, certain safety and health risks may also increase. Let’s go over some common facts about armadillos to understand potential problems and identify solutions.
Leprosy and Other Diseases
Armadillos usually stand motionless when a predator is approaching. But when posed with a serious threat, an armadillo will claw and bite. Through clawing and biting, these armored critters can transmit leprosy, rabies, and other harmful diseases.
Humans aren’t likely to pick a fight with an armadillo, but household pets such as dogs, cats, and rabbits might engage with them. If your pet catches a disease from an armadillo, infection is more likely to spread to your family. Although it’s rare for an armadillo to bite or claw another animal, it’s best to keep these critters away from your home.
Burrowing and Home Damage
An armadillo’s claws also come in handy for digging. Although armadillos are foragers, they can still cause a lot of damage and build dens nearly eight inches wide and up to 15 feet deep. They create several dens in one area to search for shelter and food. And armadillos are more likely to dig in areas with loose soil, shrubbery, and insects—the typical contents of a backyard in Florida.
When armadillos burrow for insects and vegetation, this can damage your lawn. Armadillos may also burrow under your home fairly quickly when they get too comfortable. This can lead to cracked concrete, broken pipes, and weakened building structures that put your home and its inhabitants at risk.
How to Avoid the Damage
Armadillos will not directly put you in danger. However, being around this critter overtime can increase your chances of being exposed to diseases and property damage. Rather than wondering about the destruction armadillos can bring, allow Critter Control® of Tampa to safely remove the hazard altogether. Our expert technicians are ready to carefully remove any creatures threatening your safety. Call us today for a free consultation at 813-328-6646.
