By Josie Borlongan, Garden Guides Contributor
About Armadillos
Armadillos, recently added in the order Xenarthra to which
anteaters and sloth belong, are small mammals known for having a
bony shell or armor. Armadillos' average length is about 75
centimeters (30 in.), including the tail. The Giant Armadillo can
grow as big as 90 cm (3 ft.), and there are the smaller Pink Fairy
Armadillos with an overall length of 12 to 15 cm (4 to 5 in.).
Armadillos are native to the Americas, where they can be found in
different environments.
These animals are not actually going after the crops or plants, but
after the white grubs, insects, earthworms, slugs and carrion. The
digging that the armadillo does is what annoys a lot of gardeners
due to the damage to the planting beds as they look for their
food.
Prevention and Control
A standard net fence or electric fences are effective for
armadillos. Electric wires set a few inches outside of conventional
garden fence will shock armadillos when they come close to
investigate.
Affected Plants
Wide variety of plants can be damaged when armadillos dig for worms
and insects.
Other Methods of Control
Animal traps can be placed close to the planting beds.
