Armadillos

[JB]

Had them around for 20 years and could usually give the problem individuals lead poisoning before they did any major damage. Left the rest of them alone.

Maybe that was a mistake.

They are undermining the steps from both my porches.Since they are mainly nocturnal I haven't had an opportunity to introduce them to Taurus or Ruger.

Does anyone know of a non-lethal method of discouraging them and making them move on?

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: Armadillos

They have very particular musical taste.
Run a loudspeaker under the porch and play polka music or anything by Yanni or Black Sabbath.
For Raccoons, try Def Leppard.
They'll be gone in 48 hours....unless you leave first....

 

[i386]

Re: Armadillos

I think they're neat little critters and try to leave them alone. They used to live in the woods behind the house until the dogs caught wind of them. Now it looks like a mine field back there.

http://picasaweb.google.com/mmullis/Armadillos#

They can be destructive so you gotta do what you gotta do.

Armadillos burrow for insects and grubs (their primary diet). Their burrows can be 25 feet long so there a lot of property damage potential there particularly if they're digging under structure. Eliminating the food source is one way but it may not be as quick as you need.

Shoot them or trap and relocate is going to be your best bet. The youngin's will stay near the mother until they are old enough to fend for themselves. They always have a litter of 4 babies that are all genetically identical.

If you cover the hole entrance with something heavy they will dig around it, but that give you an opportunity to shoot or catch one. You can catch 'em really easy with a dip net. They startle so easily they practically net themselves.

If you want to catch one with style...

Sneak up on the critter with your dip net. Now stomp the ground right beside it. It'll jump straight up 3 feet off the ground. Catch it in the net. Good times...

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Armadillos

If you want to catch one with style...

Sneak up on the critter with your dip net. Now stomp the ground right beside it. It'll jump straight up 3 feet off the ground. Catch it in the net. Good times...

This is evolution at work..... yes they do jump to make the appearance of a lager animal ....... a very poor tactic when they are startled by a car..... splat

 

[ob]

Re: Armadillos

Here's some info from a secure site.
https://www.msu.edu/~nixonjos/armadillo/problems.html

 

[JB]

Re: Armadillos

Thanks, OB. Very helpful. I think I will try the mothballs.

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: Armadillos

I used to trap them at my last house...ended up getting over thirty, in a 4 year span. After the first 6 or so, I started painting a little armadillo figure on the trap...along the lines of the downed enemy planes you see painted on the WWII fighter planes.

I would 'move' them almost 15 miles away...and release them.

One day, I found one in the trap that had chewed his own tail to a nub. I relocated him, and wished him on his merry way.

Two weeks later, I was standing on the back deck around dusk...and dropped my Corona, when I saw an armadillo stroll on by...with a nub for a tail!

Straight out of Stephen King! And I put the trap away....

 

[Mike Robinson]

Re: Armadillos

I used to trap them at my last house...ended up getting over thirty, in a 4 year span. After the first 6 or so, I started painting a little armadillo figure on the trap...along the lines of the downed enemy planes you see painted on the WWII fighter planes.

I would 'move' them almost 15 miles away...and release them.

One day, I found one in the trap that had chewed his own tail to a nub. I relocated him, and wished him on his merry way.

Two weeks later, I was standing on the back deck around dusk...and dropped my Corona, when I saw an armadillo stroll on by...with a nub for a tail!

Straight out of Stephen King! And I put the trap away....

LOL!

Is that why you moved?

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Armadillos

I have them too. My backyard abuts a large undeveloped, forested area and there are lots of the little critters living in it. They come out every night looking for supper, so I find torn up chunks in my lawn all the time.

Since I am in a country environment, and don't do the "manicured lawn" thing, I don't really care about a few rough patches of grass here and there. What I never knew, however, is that they burrow as much as they do. That could definately be a problem, so I'll have to watch for it!

Good thread and it definately fits under the "gee, I never knew that" category!

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: Armadillos

I used to trap them at my last house...ended up getting over thirty, in a 4 year span. After the first 6 or so, I started painting a little armadillo figure on the trap...along the lines of the downed enemy planes you see painted on the WWII fighter planes.

I would 'move' them almost 15 miles away...and release them.

One day, I found one in the trap that had chewed his own tail to a nub. I relocated him, and wished him on his merry way.

Two weeks later, I was standing on the back deck around dusk...and dropped my Corona, when I saw an armadillo stroll on by...with a nub for a tail!

Straight out of Stephen King! And I put the trap away....

I know people who had the same experience with mice. They were unwilling to use the tried and true Victor spring and bale traps (SNAP!!!)....insisted on live traps which they would empty at the end of their driveway. After two weeks of releasing one or two mice every morning, they finally started wondering how many mice were infesting their house. I suggested that they put a dab of paint on the mouse's back before letting it go. They "painted" only two mice (flourescent orange) before that was all they were catching.
Out came the Victor, end of problem....

You actually have it backwards. Rather than "painting a little armadillo figure" on the trap to celebrate each successful catch and release, you should be painting a little trap figure on the armadillo....

 

[OldePharte]

Re: Armadillos

Them buggars have made their way to Mid-Missouri. The Dept. of Conservation can't figure out how they survive the winters. We don't see any live ones, just roadkill.

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: Armadillos

Them buggars have made their way to Mid-Missouri. The Dept. of Conservation can't figure out how they survive the winters. We don't see any live ones, just roadkill.

Never...ever...pass up on a 'cheap' meal!

A dash of Tabasco...and ummm, ummm!

Just don't forget to include one of these, when you set the table....

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Armadillos

JB if you contact your local trapping supply store they have coyote urine a little dash of that will have them permenataly gone...Coyote urine you say... http://www.thefind.com/garden/info-deer-repellent-urine

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[wellsc1]

Re: Armadillos

Mucho experience with the shelled mammals. I live in the country with acreage between each neighbor.

First method was to get up at night every time I awakened enough to realize it was still night. Turn on yard lights and make rounds through the yard with .22 cal, then later 12 ga. Reason for 12 ga., one shot one kill and no barking dogs in neighborhood. .22 cal. required at least two shots to do the job, but second shot got dogs barking. I guess dogs only wake up on 1st shot. Multiple wake ups each night to finally get the 'dilla led to a lot of lost sleep, but the outcome felt good. I called this "Dilla Patrol."

Second method used mostly now is to treat the lawn with Triacide or other grub/worm killing ability. That takes away their food source. To add a bit of insurance, I treat the lawn with Mole repellant known to work on Armadillos too.

Pest control company said to fill in holes and bury wire mesh just under the surface. Dilla's nose is sensative and the wire mesh stops them from digging the same hole again. I did that and it works!

Go do you Dilla.