Linda - I can see where the armadillos are digging up your gardens.. they're insectivores, aren't they? I've noticed that since I've been using all the mulch that I have, I have a massive centipede problem and the worms get HUGE.. like bigger than the "Canadian nightcrawlers" you buy to go fishing with. I love my mulch.. it breaks down naturally like in the forest making the soil that much better. In the back, this year, I've noticed that the soil is not as compacted already & seems.. richer? than in previous years w/o the mulch. I know that in the front yard it's definitely not compacted clay like it has been in the past. Thumbs up for mulch in my book.