Georgia has recently has seen a boom of migrating nine-banded armadillos. They seem to be expanding their range far faster than any other mammal in recent history. They can be found in over two thirds of the state now, only the northern portions of the state remain armadillo free. It appears to only be a matter of time before they reach all corners of the state.

Nine-banded armadillos have four identical babies in March. The young stay with the mother for the entire summer. They become sexually mature after one year. These animals primarily feed on soil dwelling insects, but their diet may also include plant matter, baby mammals such as rabbits, carrion and eggs of ground nesting birds.

Armadillos can reek havoc in well manicured landscapes. Areas that receive plenty of moisture such as lawns and plant beds are perfect feeding grounds. The soft soil is relatively easy to dig in and contains a rich assortment of food sources. Damage associated with armadillos includes small cylindrical holes dug in clusters where they forage and you may see large burrow holes where they den. They usually have more than one burrow in their home range.

Control Methods: There are many suggested control methods for these creatures. You may try repellents, exclusion fences or controlling food sources. Each of these methods has their share problems. Currently, AWL only traps for armadillos. They can be tricky to catch, but you can see and account for the success achieved with this method. They may move back in one day, but trapping often solves the problem for good.