How to Catch an Armadillo: A Comprehensive Guide

Ever wake up to find your flowerbeds uprooted and your lawn resembling a miniature battlefield? You might have an armadillo problem. These armored critters, while fascinating, can cause significant damage to yards and gardens as they forage for insects and grubs. Understanding how to safely and humanely catch an armadillo becomes essential for homeowners and landowners seeking to protect their property and maintain a peaceful coexistence with wildlife.

Learning effective armadillo trapping techniques isn’t just about saving your petunias; it’s also about responsible wildlife management. Indiscriminate methods can harm the armadillo or other unintended animals. The goal is to remove the armadillo from the problem area while ensuring its well-being, ideally relocating it to a more suitable habitat far from human dwellings. Mastering this skill promotes respect for wildlife and preserves the delicate balance of our ecosystems.

What’s the best bait, trap, and relocation strategy?

What’s the most humane way to trap an armadillo?

The most humane way to trap an armadillo is using a live trap that is appropriately sized, properly baited (or unbaited depending on the situation), and checked frequently. Minimizing stress and potential injury to the animal is key, and that involves choosing the right equipment and employing careful practices.

For humane armadillo trapping, select a live trap that is at least 10x12x32 inches. The trap should have smooth interior edges to prevent injury. Armadillos have poor eyesight, so they often blunder into traps placed strategically along their travel routes. Rather than relying on bait, focus on funneling the armadillo towards the trap’s entrance using natural barriers like logs or planks of wood. If you choose to use bait, consider using overripe fruit or mealworms, although success with baiting armadillos can vary. Once the trap is set, it is crucial to check it at least twice daily, ideally morning and evening. This reduces the amount of time the armadillo spends confined and stressed. Armadillos are susceptible to temperature extremes, so prompt relocation is essential. When handling the trap, approach it calmly and quietly to avoid further distressing the animal. Wear gloves for protection and to minimize the transfer of your scent. Relocate the armadillo to a suitable habitat at least five miles away from where it was captured, ensuring that it is released into an area with readily available food and shelter. Remember to consult local wildlife regulations before trapping and relocating any wildlife.

Are there any legal restrictions on catching armadillos in my area?

Whether or not you can legally catch armadillos depends entirely on your specific location – the state, county, and sometimes even the municipality you reside in. Regulations vary widely, ranging from no restrictions at all to requiring permits for trapping or relocation, and even complete prohibitions on certain methods.

Therefore, before attempting to catch an armadillo, it is absolutely crucial to check with your local wildlife agency, such as your state’s Department of Natural Resources or Fish and Wildlife agency. These agencies will have the most up-to-date information on armadillo-specific regulations, including any licensing requirements for trapping, restrictions on trapping seasons or methods (e.g., prohibited traps), and rules regarding the relocation of captured animals. Many states consider armadillos as non-game animals, which may afford them certain protections, or conversely, classify them as nuisance animals, making removal easier. Ignoring these regulations can result in significant fines and other legal penalties. Moreover, relocation of animals, even when legal, can be stressful for the animal and may introduce them to an environment where they cannot survive. Understanding the local laws ensures you are acting responsibly and humanely when dealing with armadillos on your property.

What kind of bait attracts armadillos effectively?

While armadillos primarily forage for insects and grubs, strong-smelling, overripe fruit like bananas, avocados, or melon rinds can be effective bait. Additionally, mealworms or commercially available grub-like baits often used for fishing are good options. The key is to use a bait that mimics their natural food sources or has an enticing aroma that will draw them into a trap.

Armadillos have a keen sense of smell, which they use to locate food underground. Therefore, a bait with a pungent, easily detectable odor is crucial. While they aren’t strictly attracted to typical “bait” like meat, the rotting smell of fruit and the presence of insects associated with it can pique their interest. Some people have also had success with earthworms, as they are a common food source. It’s important to consider the specific environment when selecting bait. If you are in an area with abundant natural food sources, you may need to experiment to find what works best. Consider partially burying the bait near the entrance of the trap or along known armadillo pathways to increase its effectiveness. Remember that relying solely on bait may not always guarantee success; proper trap placement and scent masking are also important factors.

How deep should I bury a fence to prevent armadillos from digging under?

To effectively deter armadillos from digging under a fence, bury it at least 18 to 24 inches deep. This depth, combined with an outward-facing “L-shaped” footer made of hardware cloth or similar material, will significantly reduce their ability to burrow underneath.

Armadillos are persistent diggers, and while they prefer to tunnel under objects, they aren’t exceptionally strong excavators. The 18-24 inch depth serves as a substantial obstacle that most armadillos won’t attempt to overcome. The addition of an outward-facing footer, extending horizontally away from the fence line by another 12 inches or so, creates an additional deterrent. When the armadillo encounters this footer, it will likely abandon its digging attempt rather than trying to navigate around the extended barrier. Consider using galvanized hardware cloth with a mesh size of ½ inch or smaller for the buried section of the fence and the footer. This material is durable, rust-resistant, and prevents the armadillo from pushing through the mesh. Ensure the connection between the above-ground fence and the buried hardware cloth is secure to prevent any gaps that an armadillo could exploit.

How can I identify an armadillo’s burrow location?

Armadillo burrows are typically found near cover, such as brush piles, fences, rock piles, or heavily wooded areas. Look for holes that are roughly 7-8 inches in diameter and appear to be freshly dug, often with loose soil scattered around the entrance. Armadillo burrows can sometimes be difficult to spot as they frequently utilize existing natural cavities or the abandoned dens of other animals.

Armadillos prefer to dig their burrows in areas with loose, sandy soil that is easy to excavate. They create multiple burrows within their home range, using some for resting, nesting, and escaping predators. These burrows can be quite extensive, reaching depths of several feet and lengths of up to 15 feet or more. Because armadillos are primarily nocturnal, the best time to search for signs of recent activity is early in the morning. Look for fresh diggings, tracks in soft soil, or disturbed leaf litter near potential burrow entrances. Besides the burrow itself, you might notice other indicators of armadillo presence. These can include shallow holes in the ground where they have been foraging for insects, grubs, and other invertebrates. They often leave behind a characteristic pattern of small, cone-shaped holes as they probe the soil with their snout. While not directly indicative of the burrow’s location, these foraging signs provide context for potential areas where armadillos are active, making it easier to narrow down your search for their burrows. Here’s a quick checklist of places to inspect:

• Along fence lines
• Under sheds or decks
• Near dense vegetation or wooded areas
• Around creek banks or drainage ditches
• Under rock piles or fallen logs

Is it better to trap or repel armadillos from my property?

Whether to trap or repel armadillos depends on the severity of the problem, your tolerance for different approaches, and local regulations. Repelling is often preferable for minor issues and prevention, as it’s less disruptive and doesn’t involve handling the animal. However, trapping may be necessary for severe infestations or when other methods fail, but it requires more effort and careful consideration of ethical and legal aspects.

Repelling armadillos typically involves modifying their habitat and discouraging their presence. This can include removing food sources like grubs and insects, making your yard less attractive by clearing brush piles and low-lying vegetation, and using commercial repellents. Repellents often contain castor oil, which armadillos dislike. Another tactic is installing physical barriers, such as fencing, especially around vulnerable areas like gardens or foundations. These methods are generally humane and can be effective for preventing armadillos from entering your property in the first place or discouraging them from staying. If repelling proves ineffective, trapping may be considered. Live trapping is the most common and humane method. The trap should be a large, single-door cage trap, approximately 10x12x32 inches. Place the trap near known armadillo pathways, such as along fences, near burrows, or in areas where you’ve observed digging. Baiting traps can be challenging as armadillos don’t readily take to traditional baits. However, placing soil and mealworms inside the trap can sometimes be effective. Alternatively, winging the trap with boards to funnel the armadillo inside can increase success. It’s important to check the trap daily and relocate the armadillo at least 5 miles away, following all local laws and regulations regarding wildlife relocation. Remember that trapping and relocating wildlife can have unforeseen consequences for both the animal and the environment it’s released into. Consider consulting with a wildlife removal specialist who can assess your specific situation and recommend the most appropriate and ethical solution. They can also ensure that any trapping is done humanely and in compliance with local regulations.

What time of day are armadillos most active and easiest to catch?

Armadillos are primarily nocturnal creatures, meaning they are most active and therefore easiest to catch (or observe) during the late evening, throughout the night, and into the early morning hours. Their peak activity usually occurs a few hours after dusk and before dawn.

While armadillos are primarily nocturnal, it’s not uncommon to see them foraging during the day, especially in cooler weather or on overcast days. However, your best chance of catching one is undoubtedly at night. During the day, they’re typically resting in their burrows, which can be difficult to locate and even more challenging to access. Setting traps or employing other capture methods at night increases your chances of success simply because they are actively moving and searching for food. The specific time of peak activity can vary slightly based on location, season, and weather conditions. For example, during the summer months, they might be more active later at night to avoid the daytime heat. Conversely, during colder months, they might shift their activity to earlier in the evening. Paying attention to local armadillo behavior and adjusting your timing accordingly is key to successful trapping or observation.

Well, that’s the lowdown on armadillo wrangling! Hopefully, you’re now armed with enough knowledge (and maybe some patience) to ethically and safely deal with these armored critters. Thanks for reading, and good luck! Come back anytime for more wildlife wisdom – we’re always digging up something interesting!