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Armadillos: Friend or Foe?

Article by: Jessica Warren, ANR Agent – Camden County

Photo of armadillo

If you’ve lived in Coastal Georgia for more than a week or two, you’re probably familiar with our uniquely armored neighbor the armadillo.

Worldwide there are 20 species of armadillo, from the 3in pink fairy armadillo to the giant armadillo that can reach 5ft and 132lbs. All armadillo species can be found in Central and/or South America, with the nine-banded armadillo being the only species found in the US as well. Armadillos’ closest living relatives are sloths and anteaters.

The nine-banded armadillo is a unique mammal that is about the size of a large house cat and is covered in bony plates called scutes which offer protection from predators. This armor contains nine or less jointed bands on the torso that allow the animal to bend. Contrary to popular belief, the nine-banded armadillo can not curl fully into a protective ball, though there are some armadillo species that can. Nine-banded armadillos have a small, pointed head with a long snout, large, pointed ears, peg-like teeth, and large sharp claws for digging – all of which are adaptations to their unique diet and lifestyle. They have poor eyesight, but a great sense of smell which they use to find their prey. Like all mammals they do have hair, but only a very small amount of it which makes them sensitive to cold temperatures. The nine-banded armadillo ranges across the Southern United States from South Carolina to New Mexico, and as far north as Nebraska. They are not invasive, but naturalized, expanding their range as the landscape and climate changes. Their range is expected to expand further over time as temperatures continue to rise.

Found in bottomland hardwood forests, scrub, and brushlands – as well as neighborhoods – nine-banded armadillos prefer areas with soft, moist soil and available water sources. They live in underground burrows that can be up to 7ft deep and 20ft long. An individual will excavate and maintain an average of ten underground burrows within its home range. They are unlikely to travel more than half a mile from where they were born – one of the many reasons why relocation of armadillos (as well as most other wildlife) is often a death sentence.

Nine-banded armadillos use their keen sense of smell to find their prey which include insects, grubs, beetles, ants, worms, fruit, fungi, tubers, seeds, small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and eggs. Notably they feed on fire ants, wasps, termites, grubs (including the kind that damage your lawn), flies, small snakes, roaches, scorpions, and spiders. In addition to the safe and free pest control that they offer in our landscapes, they also provide free aeration and serve as a seed disperser for native plants. Their biggest benefit, however, is arguably their burrows. Research has shown that armadillo burrows are utilized by a large variety of native wildlife (just like gopher tortoise burrows) including rabbits, opossums, mink, cotton rats, skunks, burrowing owls, eastern indigo snakes, and pine snakes. In addition to their benefits in the landscape and ecosystem, they are truly interesting creatures. They can jump vertically up to four feet when startled, can hold their breath for up to six minutes to walk under water, and can inflate their intestines for extra buoyancy to swim across waterbodies. They also nearly always give birth to identical quadruplets. They are the only mammals in which multiple young form from a single egg with any regularity.

Nine-banded armadillos have a lifespan similar to a dog’s, ranging from 8-12 years in the wild and 20 or more years in captivity. Their natural predators include bobcats, coyotes, alligators, raccoons, foxes, and black bears. If you are less than appreciative of your local armadillo’s beneficial services, there are some things that you can do to make your landscape less enticing. Water and fertilize sparingly to limit grubs and earthworms that attract armadillos. As you’ve probably heard me say before, the biggest landscape issue in this county is people overwatering. With rare exception, we get more rainfall than an established landscape needs and supplemental irrigation is doing harm, not good. If you are watering, water in the morning so the soil can dry out in the afternoon and not be as easily detected by nocturnal armadillos (this is also better to prevent plant disease). Remove ripe and fallen fruit that can serve as a food source. Another option is to install exclusion fences a minimum of 2 feet high and 18 inches deep around sensitive areas. Trapping is rarely effective, and you must be able to humanely euthanize (shoot) the animal – which is not legal for most of our residents. If you are having an issue with a burrow under your house or other structure, there are a few things that you can do to encourage them to abandon that burrow. Illuminate the burrow with a bright spotlight or flashlight and/or put a radio in or near the hole, without blocking the animal from exiting. Harassing the burrow causes the animal to feel unsafe and can convince them to relocate on their own.

As is true with all our local wildlife, armadillos play an important role in our local ecosystem. Personally, I don’t mind tamping down a few spots in the yard in exchange for someone else dealing with the fire ants, grubs, and roaches. If you have questions about our local wildlife, feel free to reach out to me at jkwarren@uga.edu.

Great Southeast Pollinator Census

Hosted by King of Peace Episcopal Church August 23, 2024 at 10:30 AM
Program led by Jessica Warren, ANR Agent, Camden County

photo of flower with bee in center

On August 23, 2024 at 10:30 AM, King of Peace will host the 2024 Great Southeast Pollinator Count on the Church grounds. Jessica Warren, the Camden County Extension Agent will educate volunteers about pollinator counting and then the Count begins. After the counting, Jessica will show a film by Doug Tallamy.

The Great Southeast Pollinator Count is a citizen science project created by the University of Georgia. It now takes place in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Florida. Pollinators are important because much of our food including fruits, vegetables, coffee, and chocolate, require pollination. Imagine a world without coffee or chocolate! The USDA estimates that pollinators’ ecological services are valued at 200 billion dollars per year.

The gardeners at King of Peace have been working for years to plant pollinator friendly trees, shrubs, and perennials. They have planted native trees obtained from the Savannah Tree Foundation as well as plants propagated by the gardeners and those purchased at sales sponsored by the Georgia Native Plant Society and Coastal Wildscapes. They also are teaching some of the students in the King of Peace Day School about planting, growing, harvesting, and eating fresh fruits and vegetables.

By taking part in the census you can help researchers better understand the population status of specific pollinators in our area. The process is simple. After Jessica educates and provides pictures of the various insects, you will count at one plant for fifteen minutes. You can do this three times. The information will be uploaded to the University of Georgia Extension website. When you arrive at the church, please enter by the big red doors.

This is a great opportunity to meet gardeners, naturalists and outdoorsy people. For more info contact Gale Lizana at gale.lizana75@gmail.com.


Keep these toxic plants away from your pets

CAES Newswire Article: Published on 08/06/24, By Brenda Jackson

photo fo cat biting plant

You’ve heard it all: dog mom, cat dad, plant parent.

However you identify, if you are working on your green thumb and have pets, you need to now which of your plants could make your dog or cat sick.

Young or new pets tend to nibble and taste plants as they explore and become familiar with their environment, but some garden and house plants are toxic. 

Symptoms may range from a mild upset stomach to a severe toxic response that can lead to death. Even common plants can be deadly, so read more to learn which plants to keep away from your pets and why.

Identifying toxic plants

Plant toxicities can be organized into four classes:

  • Major Toxicity: Plants in toxicity class 1 may cause serious illness or death if ingested.
  • Minor Toxicity: Plants in toxicity class 2 may cause vomiting or diarrhea if ingested. 
  • Oxalates: Plants in toxicity class 3 contain juice or sap with oxalate crystals that can irritate the skin, mouth and/or throat, cause swelling, difficulty breathing, pain, and/or an upset stomach.
  • Dermatitis: Plants in toxicity class 4 may cause a skin rash if contact with thorns or sap occurs.

Continue to the web page to continue reading and find additional resources: Keep these toxic plants away from your pets

Ouch! What just bit me?

UGA Article: UGA entomologist Elmer Gray gives tips on identifying Georgia’s stinging and biting insects and explains what you can do about them.

photo of biting insect

As autumn approaches and the stifling heat of summer begins to cool down, spending more time outdoors may be on your radar.

But, as Georgia is home to many stinging and biting insects, fall fun can turn into a minefield of discomfort. Elmer Gray, a research entomologist with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and specialist for UGA Cooperative Extension, shares information on some of the season’s most common culprits, urging residents to stay vigilant and take preventative measures.

Continue reading Ouch! What just bit me?


Invasive Species Alert! – Emerald Ash Borer – (Agrilus planipennis)

Emeral Ash Borer image and Emeral ash borers are invasive beetles that can kill every ash species native to the U.S.

Found in most native ash range; leaves D-shaped holes in bark; feeds primarily on ash trees.

The invasive emerald ash borer (EAB; Agrilus planipennis) is a beetle in the metallic (or jewel) wood-boring beetle family (Buprestidae) . Buprestids are also known as flat-headed borers. Adult EAB is approximately 1/2 inch long with a shiny, green body. EAB is native to Asia and was detected in Michigan in 2002 but had likely been in North America since the mid-1990s. It was likely accidentally brought to North America within wood pallets where bark had not been removed.

In Asia, ash trees have increased resistance to EAB. There are also natural enemies and pathogens helping control EAB populations. However, North American ash are very susceptible to EAB, and native predators and pathogens do not feed enough on EAB to substantially reduce their populations. Ash trees often die within 3-5 years after EAB infests the tree. EAB has killed hundreds of millions of ash trees in North America. All ash species native to North America are susceptible, including: green, white, pumpkin, blue, and Carolina ash. EAB now has populations in most Eastern US states, and its range is moving westward. Ash mortality can affect residential areas financially and aesthetically, and forests are being impacted aesthetically and ecologically. In Georgia, ash is most common in bottomland hardwood forests where it is important for water quality and soil stability. The Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) began trapping to detect EAB presence in 2005, and it was found in Georgia in 2013. As of 2023, EAB is in 48 counties in the northern part of Georgia, and the range continues to expand.

EAB LIFE CYCLE

  • EAB adults emerge from trees in late-spring. They chew a 1/8 inch wide D-shaped exit hole as they emerge
  • D-shaped exit hole is one of the most obvious external signs of an EAB infestation.
  • Adult beetles feed on ash foliage for several weeks before mating and laying eggs on the bark of nearby ash trees.
  • Females can lay up to 200 eggs that hatch into larvae after 7-10 days.
  • Newly-hatched larvae chew through the bark and begin feeding on the inner bark.
  • While feeding, larvae create serpentine or “S”-shaped galleries. The EAB galleries damage tree tissues in a process called “girdling”, which limits the ability of the tree to transport water and nutrients and ultimately leads to tree death.
  • Larvae feed throughout the summer and, in Georgia, overwinter as pre-pupae, and then pupate in the early-spring. EAB completes its life cycle in one year in southern climates, but the life cycle can take up to 2 years in colder, more northern climates.

EFFECTS OF EAB FEEDING

EAB infestations start high in the canopy of large trees, and stems as small as 1 inch in diameter may be attacked. As the infestation spreads, it moves downward to the trunk of the tree. Because they infest the upper canopy first, signs such as the D-shaped exit holes may not be easily observed until later in the infestation. Galleries under the bark are a sign EAB feeding that occurs inside the tree. On the outside, EAB infestations lead to dead and dying branches in the canopy, splits in the bark, and leafy sprouts on the trunk called epicormic shoots. In addition, woodpeckers may knock bark off of the tree in efforts to get EAB larvae, revealing lighter colored tissues under the bark. This process is called “blonding” or “flecking”. Unfortunately, these outward signs and symptoms can appear 1-3 years after the tree is initially infested with EAB, and infestations are often more advanced when people notice a problem. Efforts to “save” an ash tree with an advanced EAB infestation may not succeed.

EAB MANAGEMENT

The first step to managing EAB is learning to identify ash trees and the signs of an EAB infestation. EAB management should be approached two ways – by reducing the likelihood of infestations and treating individual trees with insecticides.

Reducing spread: EAB in infested firewood and timber products can spread EAB hundreds of miles. Inspection and local sourcing for ash products is an important avenue to protecting trees from EAB.

Prior to 2021, a federal EAB quarantine restricted moving hardwood firewood and ash wood products from infested areas to uninfested areas. Federal and state quarantines started in Georgia in 2013, when EAB was first detected in the state. The quarantines were lifted when the federal government de-regulated EAB in 2021. Moving firewood and wood products can still introduce EAB and other invasive species to new areas and further its spread. When traveling, it is a good practice to only purchase local firewood and not transport your own firewood. Using local firewood reduces the chance that you will transport EAB (as well as other pests) to new areas.

Insecticides: Systemic insecticides can effectively protect ash trees from EAB.4 Systemic insecticides are either directly injected or applied to the trunk or soil around a tree and are then moved throughout the tree by its vascular system. This distributes the insecticide throughout the entire tree. Insects feeding on the tree ingest the insecticide directly from tree tissues.

Additional Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Info

Invasive Species Alert! – Asian Longhorned Beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis)

Asian Longhorned Beetle image and The asian longhorned beetle can attack both healthy and stressed hardwood trees (maples, elms, willows, etc.)

Nearest infestation – South Carolina; leaves round holes in bark; feeds on many hardwoo trees.

Overview

The Asian longhorned beetle, Anoplophora glabripennis, is native to eastern China and Korea. It was first detected in the US in 1996, likely introduced as a contaminant in solid wood packaging materials. It has been eradicated from Illinois, New Jersey, and Canada and current known infestations include New York, Ohio, Massachusetts, and most recently South Carolina.

Life Stages

Eggs, up to 90 laid in a lifetime, are laid one per bark notch during spring – summer. Hatching is temperature dependent, but generally occurs in 7-14 days. Larvae develop through at least five instars in the tree cambium and heartwood over 1-2 years. Larvae are yellow-white, up to 2 in. long and 0.25 in. wide, with a dark brown head capsule. Mature larvae most likely to overwinter. Pupation occurs during spring in frass-filled chambers and usually takes 13-24 days. Adults emerge from the tree spring-fall leaving a 0.4 in. round exit hole. Adults live 50-60 days. They generally feed on leaves and tender bark of small twigs and branches.

More Info

  • US hosts include maple, poplar, willow, elm, birch, and many more
  • Attacks healthy and stressed trees
  • Key characteristics include: Size, Color, Hosts

Asian Longhorned Beetle SE US Lookalikes

  • Eyed click beetle (Alaus oculatus) – Lare eye spots
  • Northeastern pine sawyer (Monochamus notatus) – Brown body color
  • Carolina pine sawyer (Monochamus carolinensis) – Brown body color
  • Flat-faced longhorn (Graphisurus fasciatus) Brown body color
  • White oak borer (Goes tigrinus) – Brown body color
  • Southern pine sawyer (Monochamus titillator)
  • Whitespotted sawyer (Monochamus scutellatus)
  • Cottonwood borer (Plectrodera scalator)

Additional Asian Longhorned Beetle Info

Identifying Tree Stressors – Hardwood Borers

Inset stress make trees vulnerable to deline or death. Signs of stress include: insect exit hole, insect frass, bark splitting, decline or death of tree crown, stress sprouts alone base of trunk.

August is National Tree Check Month! Inspect your trees for stress and infestation signs: Boring Dust or Frass; Missing or Damaged Leaves; Atypical Growth; Dying Branches; Damaged Bark

Report Invasive Species Sightings

To report sightings: Reporting, maps, and more on invasive, pest, and biocontrol species