How to Trap an Armadillo

Armadillos are nocturnal animals with large, sharp claws, which are adapted for digging. They can dig up holes in your gardens and lawns while searching for insects and worms. They can even make burrows beneath your house, which in turn, can damage the foundation of the building. You can prevent these animals from entering your premises by using deterrents or by constructing a fence around your land, but many people consider trapping as the best method to get rid of armadillos. The following paragraphs deal with the various aspects of trapping this animal.

In order to trap armadillos, a little observation regarding the behavior of the animal is necessary. Once you understand their timings and daily route, you can plan your strategy accordingly. Armadillos are active during late nights and early mornings, making it impossible for you to stay awake throughout the night and watch the movements of the animal. Once you find out their path and the places they frequently visit, you can plan the trapping.

Before trapping this animal, you have to ensure that it is not illegal in your area. Check out the local laws regarding the trapping of armadillos. If it is not illegal, the next step is to find a suitable trap. Armadillos are very tough animals, which can escape from the trap by bending the metal rods. Hence, it is very important to use large and strong metal traps to catch this animal.

The next step is the correct placement of the trap. Placement is an important factor in trapping an armadillo. Place the trap near their burrows or on their daily route. It is beneficial to place barriers on either side of the trap and the path leading to it. You can use materials like wooden planks, fences, or concrete blocks as barriers. The barriers on both sides should be kept at least 12 inches apart and must run parallel to each other, creating the impression of a corridor. The ends of the barriers should be attached to the opening of the trap. The barriers can channelize the armadillo (which has very poor vision) directly to the trap. Make sure that the barriers are strong enough to withstand the movements of the animal. While some people keep worms, insects and rotten vegetable inside the trap, as bait, others oppose the idea. According to the latter, armadillos prefer to dig out food and cannot be lured by foodstuff kept inside a trap. Using bait has one more disadvantage. It can lead animals other than armadillos to the trap. You can make the trap more inviting by adding some dirt or soil. For better results, you can use more than one trap at the same location or at different places.

Once the animal is trapped, you can relocate it to some remote or wild area, preferably near some water source. Be careful while dealing with armadillos, as they may try to use their claws in retaliation. If you think that you won't be able to do this task, you can approach professionals, who can handle this job more skillfully.