How to Trap an Armadillo: A Comprehensive Guide

Tired of waking up to find your prized petunias uprooted and your meticulously crafted lawn resembling a miniature construction site? You’re not alone. Armadillos, those armored excavators of the south, are notorious for their relentless pursuit of grubs and insects, often leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. While they may seem harmless, their digging can damage lawns, gardens, and even undermine building foundations. Learning to safely and effectively trap these nocturnal visitors is crucial for protecting your property and maintaining peace of mind.

Dealing with armadillos can be frustrating, and it’s tempting to resort to quick fixes that might harm the animal or create further problems. However, understanding their behavior and employing humane trapping techniques allows you to resolve the issue while minimizing stress for both you and the armadillo. This guide will provide you with the knowledge and strategies you need to successfully capture and relocate these digging dynamos, ensuring a harmonious coexistence with your local wildlife.

Frequently Asked Questions About Armadillo Trapping:

What bait is most effective for trapping an armadillo?

While armadillos are known for their digging habits, they are primarily insectivores. Therefore, the most effective bait for trapping an armadillo is live bait, specifically earthworms. Mealworms, grubs, and even crickets can also be effective. The key is to mimic their natural food sources.

Armadillos have a very keen sense of smell, which they use to locate food. Placing the live bait inside the trap, preferably in a container with holes to allow the scent to permeate, will significantly increase your chances of success. Consider scattering some additional bait around the entrance of the trap to lure the armadillo closer. It’s important to remember that trapping is only one part of the process, location is also important. Placing the trap along a known travel route or near areas where they are actively digging, such as flowerbeds or gardens, is critical.

Avoid using fruits, vegetables, or other “typical” bait. While armadillos may occasionally sample these items, they are not their preferred food source and will likely be ignored. Persistence is key; armadillos may take several days to enter a trap. Checking the trap regularly is crucial to ensure the humane treatment of the animal, and to prevent any other non-target animals from being trapped for too long. Consider consulting with your local animal control or wildlife removal service for advice specific to your area and any applicable regulations regarding trapping and relocation.

Where is the best location to place an armadillo trap?

The most effective location to place an armadillo trap is directly in the armadillo’s travel path, ideally near the entrance of its burrow or along a frequently used fence line or pathway where you’ve observed armadillo activity. Focus on areas with fresh digging, disturbed soil, or obvious signs of their presence, such as tunnels or cone-shaped holes.

Effective trap placement hinges on understanding armadillo behavior. Armadillos tend to follow consistent routes while foraging for food and seeking shelter. Locating these routes is crucial for increasing your chances of a successful catch. Look for evidence of their digging near structures like decks, foundations, or outbuildings, as these areas often provide them with cover. Additionally, check along fence lines, as armadillos often use these as guides while navigating their territory. When you’ve identified a promising location, position the trap so that the armadillo is naturally guided into it. If possible, “funnel” the armadillo towards the trap opening using natural barriers like logs, boards, or brush. This increases the likelihood that the armadillo will enter the trap instead of bypassing it. Consider baiting the trap with strong-smelling, attractive food items like earthworms, mealworms, or overripe fruit. While armadillos primarily hunt invertebrates, a tempting bait can further entice them inside. Remember to check the trap frequently, especially during periods of high armadillo activity, and relocate it if it remains unsuccessful after a few days, indicating the initial location may not be ideal.

How do I safely release a trapped armadillo?

The safest way to release a trapped armadillo is to carefully approach the trap, wearing gloves for protection, and slowly open the trap door while standing to the side. Allow the armadillo to exit on its own without being forced or chased. Observe from a distance to ensure it moves away and isn’t immediately re-trapped.

Armadillos, while generally not aggressive, can bite or scratch if they feel threatened. Wearing thick gloves will protect you from potential injury. Approaching the trap calmly and quietly will minimize the animal’s stress. Avoid making sudden movements or loud noises that could frighten it further. Opening the trap door fully gives the armadillo a clear escape route and reduces its anxiety, making it less likely to act defensively.

It’s important to release the armadillo in an area where it can thrive. Look for a location with plenty of natural cover, such as wooded areas or brushy undergrowth, and access to soil for digging. Avoid releasing it near busy roads or in areas with heavy human traffic. If possible, release it near where you trapped it, as relocating animals can disrupt their established territories and ability to find food and shelter. Check local regulations regarding wildlife relocation before releasing the armadillo to ensure you are in compliance with the law.

What type of trap is recommended for armadillos?

A live trap, specifically a humane animal trap, is the recommended and most effective type of trap for armadillos. These traps typically feature a single or double door and should be large enough to comfortably accommodate an armadillo, generally around 10x12x32 inches.

Larger live traps are preferable to smaller ones. Armadillos are surprisingly strong and can damage or even escape from traps that are too flimsy or undersized. Look for traps constructed from sturdy wire mesh with reinforced frames. A trap that is too small can also deter the armadillo from entering in the first place, as it will feel confined and vulnerable. While armadillos primarily forage for insects and grubs, baiting the trap can increase your chances of success. However, armadillos are notoriously difficult to bait consistently. Instead of relying solely on bait, focus on positioning the trap strategically in areas where you’ve observed armadillo activity, such as near burrows, along fences, or in areas where they are actively digging. Consider guiding the armadillo into the trap by constructing “fences” made of logs, boards, or other materials leading towards the trap entrance. These barriers funnel the armadillo toward the opening.

Are there any legal restrictions on trapping armadillos?

Yes, legal restrictions on trapping armadillos vary significantly depending on your location, typically dictated by state and local regulations regarding wildlife management. These restrictions often include licensing requirements, permitted trapping seasons, specific trap types allowed or prohibited, and stipulations on relocation or disposal of trapped animals.

While armadillos are not typically classified as endangered or threatened, their management falls under the purview of state wildlife agencies. Before attempting to trap an armadillo, it is crucial to consult with your local Department of Natural Resources, Fish and Wildlife Agency, or equivalent authority to understand the specific laws and regulations in your area. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in fines, legal penalties, or even confiscation of trapping equipment. Some states might require a trapping license, even for nuisance animals like armadillos, and may mandate humane handling practices to minimize stress and injury to the animal. Furthermore, relocation of trapped armadillos may be prohibited or strictly regulated to prevent the spread of diseases or the introduction of the animal into areas where it could become an invasive species. In some areas, humane euthanasia may be the only legal option. The type of trap you use may also be regulated; for instance, certain states ban the use of steel-jawed leghold traps due to animal welfare concerns, mandating instead the use of live traps. Ignorance of the law is not an excuse, so proactive investigation into local ordinances is essential before proceeding with any trapping efforts.

How can I prevent accidentally trapping other animals?

Preventing accidental capture of non-target animals when trapping armadillos requires careful planning and technique. The most important strategy is to use a trap size appropriate for armadillos, not larger animals. Focus on locations where armadillos are known to frequent, minimizing placement in areas frequented by pets or other wildlife. Regularly check the traps to quickly release any unintended captures, and consider using exclusion devices or modifications to the trap to deter larger animals.

To minimize the risk of catching unintended animals, focus on precision placement. Armadillos have specific habits, often following predictable routes and digging near structures or natural barriers. Locate traps directly in these pathways or near known armadillo burrows. Avoid setting traps near bird feeders, heavily wooded areas known to harbor larger mammals like raccoons or opossums, or areas where domestic animals roam freely. Scent can be a powerful attractant, but also a potential lure for non-target species. Consider using natural bait specific to armadillos, such as grubs or insects collected from their foraging areas, instead of commercially available general-purpose baits. Another crucial aspect is modifying the trap itself. Hardware cloth can be used to partially cover the trap entrance, creating a smaller opening that restricts access for larger animals. A simple wooden barrier placed in front of the trap entrance can also achieve a similar effect. Furthermore, regularly inspect your traps. Early morning checks are essential. The longer an animal is trapped, the more stressed and potentially injured it will become, increasing the likelihood of self-harm or attracting predators. Prompt release minimizes stress and harm to non-target animals, and allows you to reset the trap for its intended purpose.

How deep should I bury the trap for armadillos?

When trapping armadillos, you typically don’t *bury* the trap at all. Instead, you focus on guiding the armadillo into the trap using natural or artificial barriers, effectively funneling them along their established routes.

While you don’t bury the *trap* itself, a crucial element is burying the guiding fences or “wings” you use to direct the armadillo. These fences should be buried approximately 6-8 inches deep to prevent the armadillo from digging underneath them. Armadillos are strong diggers, and if the barrier isn’t deep enough, they will simply tunnel under it and bypass your trap entirely. The material you use for the barrier can vary, including plywood, hardware cloth, or even readily available materials like logs or rocks, but ensuring a solid, buried base is key to success. Remember, the placement of the trap is also important. Position the trap directly in the armadillo’s path, ideally near a burrow entrance, along a frequently used trail, or against a building foundation where they are known to forage. After burying the bottom of the wings, angle them outward to create a wider funnel leading towards the trap’s entrance. This will increase the likelihood of the armadillo entering the trap. Secure the wings firmly to the ground with stakes to further prevent the armadillo from pushing past them.

Well, there you have it! Hopefully, these tips will help you humanely relocate your armored friend and keep your yard a little less… excavated. Thanks for reading, and good luck with your armadillo wrangling! Be sure to check back soon for more helpful how-to guides!