Wake up to a lawn that looks like someone took a garden trowel to it overnight? That is almost always a nine-banded armadillo. We handle armadillo removal in Davenport, FL for homeowners, rental owners and commercial properties across northeast Polk County.
Licensed & insured. Free inspection. Humane removal and sealing.
Armadillos are mostly nocturnal, so you rarely see them. You just see the holes. A single animal can dig dozens of small pits in one night hunting grubs and insects, and it may dig a full burrow under your slab, sidewalk or pool deck. Trapping is the fix, and it works best when the trap goes in the right spot.
Why Armadillos Love This Part of Polk County
A lot of the neighborhoods off US-27 sit on land that was citrus groves or cattle pasture not long ago. Armadillos lived in that open ground for generations. When the houses went in, the animals stayed. Now they have irrigated sod, mulch beds and soft soil along the foundations, which is a buffet of grubs and beetles.
Homes on the edge of a subdivision, next to remaining pasture or a retention pond, usually get hit first. Armadillos travel along pond banks and fence lines at night and work their way into the closest yards. It is common for several houses on one street to see damage at the same time. If your neighbor is dealing with holes, check your own yard the next morning, because the same animal may be working the whole block.
Damage You Can Spot
Armadillos do more than dig shallow holes. Here is what to watch for around your home:
- Small cone-shaped pits in the lawn. Small, scattered or in rows, and fresh after rain.
- Mulch thrown onto walkways. They root through beds looking for insects.
- A burrow along the foundation. A round opening, often with loose dirt piled out front.
- Cracks or settling in pavers or concrete. Burrows under pool decks, driveways and sidewalks can wash out soil.
- Uprooted plants and sod edges. Fresh sod is easy for them to peel back.
Armadillo Removal Davenport FL Property Owners Can Rely On
We start by inspecting the whole yard and the perimeter of the house. We look for active burrows, travel paths along fences and pond edges, and fresh digging. That tells us where to set traps on your Davenport property. Armadillos do not respond well to bait, so placement matters more than anything. Traps go along walls, fence lines and burrow entrances where the animal already walks.
Once the armadillo is caught, we handle it in line with Florida rules. Armadillos are not protected, but we still follow FWC guidance on release and humane handling. Then we deal with the burrow so another animal does not move right back in.
Pool Decks and Vacation Homes
Resort communities like Highlands Reserve, Providence and Solterra have plenty of pool decks and screened enclosures. An armadillo burrow under a pool deck can undermine the pavers and leave a sunken spot that becomes a trip hazard for guests. Since owners often live out of state, the first sign is usually a note from the cleaning crew or a complaint from a renter.
We can inspect and trap without you being there. We send photos of the burrows and damage, and once the armadillo is gone, we explain which areas need a contractor to re-level pavers or fill voids.
Keeping Armadillos Out
After removal, prevention matters. Our exclusion services can include buried barriers along foundations, under sheds and around pool deck edges where burrows keep coming back. Cutting down the grub population in the lawn also helps, since food is what brings them in. Filling old burrows and keeping an eye out for new holes after rain will help you catch a return early.
Burrows also give other animals a place to hide. Snakes use abandoned armadillo holes, so if you see one, our snake removal service in Davenport can help. For a full rundown of local wildlife issues, see our Davenport wildlife removal page.
Serving the Region
We handle armadillo work in Davenport and nearby towns, including Clermont on the Lake County side of the Four Corners. We are licensed and insured, and available 24/7. Call (904) 729-6285 to set up a free inspection.
More Wildlife Services in Davenport
- Wildlife removal Davenport FL
- Bat removal Davenport FL
- Snake removal Davenport FL
- Raccoon removal Davenport FL
- Squirrel removal Davenport FL
- Wildlife exclusion and sealing
- Attic wildlife removal and cleanup
Armadillo Removal in Nearby Cities
- Armadillo removal Haines City FL
- Armadillo removal Poinciana FL
- Armadillo removal Clermont FL
- Armadillo removal Kissimmee FL
Armadillo Removal Questions from Davenport Homeowners
Why does my Davenport lawn have new holes every morning?
That pattern almost always means an armadillo. They feed at night, rooting for grubs and insects, and leave small pits behind. Fresh sod and watered lawns are their favorites because the soil stays soft. If the holes keep showing up in the same yard, the animal probably has a burrow close by, often under a slab, shed or pool deck.
Can an armadillo burrow damage my pool deck?
Yes. Burrows under pool decks and pavers remove soil, and rain washes out more over time. The result can be sinking pavers, cracks or uneven spots. We trap the armadillo and point out where the voids are, so a contractor can repair the deck before it becomes a bigger problem.
Should I fill an armadillo burrow before the animal is caught?
No. If the armadillo is still using the burrow, filling it just sends the animal to dig a new one, often somewhere worse, like under a slab or driveway. It can also trap the animal inside. Let us confirm the burrow is empty and the armadillo is caught first, then fill or block the hole so nothing else moves in.
Are armadillos worse near the old groves and pastures in Polk County?
Usually, yes. Former citrus groves and pasture held armadillos long before homes were built. Lots on the edge of a development, next to open land or a retention pond, get more traffic because animals move out of that land at night and into the nearest yards. Inner lots see less, but not zero.
Request a Free Inspection in Davenport
Tell us what you are hearing or seeing and we will call you back to set up an inspection. For a snake in the house, a bat in a living space or any emergency, call (904) 729-6285 now — we answer 24 hours a day.