Dundee sits on the Lake Wales Ridge, and the ridge is sand. That makes it easy digging for the nine-banded armadillo. If you are waking up to cone-shaped holes in the lawn, or you found a burrow opening under your driveway, our armadillo removal in Dundee, FL service traps the animal and helps you stop the next one. We handle homes and commercial properties across Polk County, and we are licensed and insured.
Licensed & insured. Free inspection. Humane removal and sealing.
Armadillos look harmless, and they will not chase you. The trouble is what they do to the ground. A single animal can tear up a fresh sod lawn in a few nights and hollow out the soil under a slab or a pool deck. That kind of damage gets worse the longer it goes. Call (904) 729-6285 for a free inspection before a small hole turns into a cracked walkway.
Why the Ridge Draws Armadillos
Loose, sandy ridge soil lets an armadillo dig fast, and well-watered lawns in new subdivisions are full of grubs and insects. That combination is the main reason we get so many calls from Dundee. Homes built on old citrus land sit right beside grove edges and wooded lots where armadillos already live, so they do not have to travel far to find your yard.
They are mostly active at night. You rarely catch one in the act, but you see the results at sunrise: shallow holes, overturned mulch and lines of torn turf along the edge of beds. A burrow entrance is usually a rounded opening a few inches across, often with a fan of loose sand pushed out in front of it.
Where Armadillos Dig Around Your Home
Armadillos like to put a burrow under something solid. The cover protects the opening, and the soil underneath stays cool. That is exactly why they are hard on property.
- Under concrete slabs, including patios and the edges of the house foundation.
- Below sidewalks and driveways, where the soil can wash out and leave the concrete unsupported.
- Beneath pool decks, a common call in newer neighborhoods.
- Under sheds, AC pads and steps, where the opening stays hidden.
- Lawns and landscape beds, rooted up night after night while they hunt for food.
Armadillo Removal Dundee FL Property Owners Use
Armadillos do not take bait the way most animals do, so trap placement is everything. We start by inspecting the whole property, finding active burrows and reading the travel paths along fences, walls and bed edges. Traps go where the animal already walks, often with guide boards that steer it inside.
Once the armadillo is caught, we check the burrow to make sure it is empty, then deal with the opening. Armadillos are not a protected species in Florida, and all wildlife we handle is managed under Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission rules, including the requirement to deal with a captured animal within 24 hours.
Closing Burrows and Preventing a Return
An empty burrow is an open invitation. Another armadillo will move into it, and snakes, rats and other animals use old burrows too. That is one reason we sometimes find ourselves handling snake removal in Dundee at the same address. We fill or block abandoned holes and close off the spaces under slabs, sheds and decks with barriers set below ground level, since a simple fence on the surface does not stop a digger.
This is part of our broader wildlife exclusion work, which seals the ground-level openings animals use to get under your home.
- Water the lawn less often but more deeply, so grubs stay further down.
- Treat a grub problem, since insects are what the armadillo is digging for.
- Keep brush piles and debris away from the house.
- Report fresh holes early, before they reach the slab.
Health and Safety Notes
Do not try to catch an armadillo by hand. They have strong claws for digging and can scratch hard when grabbed. Wear gloves when working in soil where they have been digging, and wash up afterward. If you see one out in daylight acting strangely, keep pets inside and call us. Dogs often find a burrow before you do, and a dog digging after an armadillo can get scratched or make the hole under your slab even bigger. Fill no holes yourself until we confirm the burrow is empty, or you may trap an animal under the concrete.
More Wildlife Services in Dundee
- Wildlife removal Dundee FL
- Bat removal Dundee FL
- Snake removal Dundee FL
- Raccoon removal Dundee FL
- Wildlife exclusion and sealing
- Attic wildlife removal and cleanup
Armadillo Removal in Nearby Cities
Armadillo Removal Questions from Dundee Homeowners
Why are armadillos such a problem in newer Dundee subdivisions?
Fresh sod and regular irrigation create a buffet of grubs and worms, and the sandy soil under these homes is easy to dig. Many of these neighborhoods were built on former grove land next to wooded edges where armadillos already lived. The new lawn gives them a better meal than the land around it, so they come in every night.
Can an armadillo burrow damage my foundation or pool deck?
It can undermine them. A burrow removes soil from beneath concrete, and rain then washes more sand out of the cavity. Over time, a sidewalk, slab edge or pool deck can settle or crack. That is why we recommend dealing with a burrow next to concrete quickly rather than waiting for the armadillo to move on.
Are armadillos more active at certain times of year?
They are mostly nocturnal year-round, but you will notice them most when the soil is soft and insects are near the surface, such as after rain or after you water. In cool weather they sometimes come out earlier in the evening. Fresh digging overnight is the best sign one is still working your yard.
Do you cover armadillo problems outside Dundee?
Yes. We handle armadillos throughout this part of Polk County, including Lake Hamilton, Winter Haven, Lake Wales and the area covered by our Haines City wildlife removal service. For the other animals we remove around town, visit our Dundee wildlife removal page.
Request a Free Inspection in Dundee
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.