I was out dove hunting MANY years ago. These methods include live trapping, exclusion by building of fences, elimination of food sources and positioning a dog in the yard to scare them off. Armadillo removal information - The main armadillo page, with behavior and biology info. A mature armadillo is 15 to 17 inches long (not counting the tail) with a weight of 8 to 17 pounds. Besides, armadillos are nocturnal and only come out at night; this reduced visibility is not good for getting an accurate aim. This is a repellent that will deter armadillos from living in the burrows. Your best bet to kill an armadillo is by shooting it with a gun, if it is legal to do so in your area. Can you safely shoot a high-velocity .22 bullet on your property without a ricochet possibly causing damage in your neighborhood? Email us at info@aaanimalcontrol.com - Humane Wildlife Control Advice - Wild Animal Education, Other Wildlife Species Advice & Information. Whenever I shoot a nuisance critter, I almost always reach for a .308, no matter the size. Lethal trapping may be an effective way to get rid of armadillos, but it is not an easy task especially to find the right one. How to get rid of armadillos - my main armadillo removal info guide. The trap grips the armadillo and puts a lot of pressure on it until it dies within a short time. On a related note. Some people just like to shoot at things. However, it is possible for an armadillo to eat such poison if it is placed in the right way, and armadillos are often attracted to food that is over ripe such as fruit or spoiled meat which is why they often dig through garbage. The south is over run with Armadillo so hunters are the main way to manage these nuisance critters. It is quite common for would-be armadillo killers to misfire too, a dangerous occurrence. The common problems associated with the use of poisons also apply – the ensuing stench when the animal crawls into some obscure place to die and the matter of carcass disposal. It's impossible to kill an armadillo with poison, because these animals only eat live worms and grubs that they dig out of the ground. If there is a ricochet risk, I'd recommend using CB caps. The problem with poisoning armadillos is that it rarely works because armadillos do not eat surface or laid out food. Clearly at least one person's idea of a good time is opening fire on an armadillo for entertainment purposes. Gun: If you legally own a firearm and are permitted to shoot it on your property, you can use a gun to kill armadillos. Rat poison is a substance that does smell and taste quite attractive to rats, but the problem when it comes to using it to kill armadillos is that they will very rarely eat rat poison. Armadillos exist only in the Americas, with South America home to all 20 species. preferable. For more information, you may want to click on one of these guides that I wrote: How much does armadillo removal cost? A trap’s effectiveness can be enhanced by placing Dealing with a pest animal can be a pain in the neck at the best of times, but when you are dealing with an armadillo, it has an armored carapace that makes lethal traps ineffective in … It could take a few days and other animals may stray into the trap before the armadillo gets to it. It is quite common for would-be armadillo killers to misfire too, a dangerous occurrence. Information about armadillo repellent - analysis of types and effectiveness. Trap placement is key. Eventually, they’ll be found in any state where winters are mild. If however you still wish to kill off your armadillo pest and it is legal to do so where you live, then find below, the common ways by which armadillos are killed. The nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus), named for the nine breaks in the leathery armor that allow it to flex its stiff hide, is an odd-looking mammal about the size of a cat. They come out at dusk to begin foraging for food and return to their burrows at dawn. Overall, killing an armadillo comes with a great deal of responsibility and possible consequences. For this reason, some manufacturers have produced poisons that are shaped like worms to trick armadillos into eating them. Armadillo control has become a concern throughout the southwest and beyond. One of the natural reactions that many people who have a problem with a pest animal will be to reach for poison, but this is an instinct that really should be suppressed, as it can often cause major problems. As with everything, there are exceptions. In many areas, it is not legal to discharge a firearm in a residential area. Most of the time when poison is laid out for armadillos, they end up being consumed by other unintended wildlife or even house pets that find them. Armadillo-mania is contagious in the Lone Star State, as Texans, for no apparent reason, have adopted this armor-plated critter as their mascot. odor from a dead animal will invite others in the neighborhood into your property as well. In Florida, trapping and “humane killing” of the Armadillo, by an official state agency, is accepted. If you do decide to kill the armadillo, do it as humanly as possible. - Be sure to check the trap every day for a possible catch. It is advisable to set more than one trap at a time in order to improve the chances of success. AAAnimal Control is a professional wildlife control company operating in over 500 USA locations. AP and Network Writers AP April 15, 2015 11:08am He spotted the armadillo on his property and opened fire. Killing of armadillos with rifles and shotguns is more common in rural areas. Click here to hire us in your town and check prices - updated for year 2020. Bow hunting for small game with a compound bow is a blast! But PLEASE do not drown the animal like the rednecks do - that's a terrible way to die. A lethal trap that would work will have to be very strong indeed as most lethal traps target the internal organs and the spine. Hawks, owls and feral pigs may prey on armadillo young. Armadillo job blog - learn from great examples of armadillo jobs I've done Armadillo repellent - No effective deterrent product or device exists, as I explain. They are very quiet and a well-placed shot will kill an armadillo nice and dead. They won't eat any food just sitting on the surface. A shot to head or spine with a 22-caliber rimfire rifle is sufficient and is more discrete than other firearms. Information about how to kill an armadillo - with poison or other methods. It is odd to think you would ever need a reason or have the desire to hurt or kill one, even if it has somehow penetrated your home or workplace. With so many better ways to deal with an armadillo problem, rat poison really isn’t a great solution. Setting Up a Cage Buy a pre-built steel cage trap from a hardware or hunting store. Lethal Trapping Shooting And if something is on their property then they're there to be shot. Killing of armadillos with rifles and shotguns is more common in rural areas. It’s a question we’re pondering again, two years after a Texas man shot an armadillo in his yard and regretted it instantly. James Morgan, the Dougherty County Extension Coordinator said they actually recommend shooting armadillos for residents that live in the county, or a trap can be used to capture them. Neither! Although they may not appear to be very fast, an armadillo can be very quick if it decides to flee, although sometimes it will try to crouch under its distinctive amour. Poisoning Need armadillo removal in your hometown? It is important to dispose of the carcass as soon as you make a catch because the We service over 500 USA locations! “His wife was in the house. - Exercise great caution while setting the trap and understand the directions that come with it very well. The armadillo ranges from south Texas to the southeastern tip of New Mexico, through Oklahoma, the southeastern corner of Kansas and the southwestern corner of Missouri, most of Arkansas and southwestern Mississippi. Information about how to keep armadillos away - prevention techniques. Example armadillo trapping photographs - get do-it-yourself ideas. Two of those, the nine-banded and the northern naked-tail armadillo… As mentioned above, armadillos are primarily nocturnal animals. Affection for the near-sighted rooter has reached the faddish level as decals, games, puzzles, candles, stuffed toys, figurines, jewelry, T-shirts, and other items are decorated with or shaped to resemble armadillos. How to kill an armadillo - Not necessary, but I list info about lethal traps and poison. That’s definitely true of the last armadillo I shot. “His wife was in the house. One study noted a decline in armadillo numbers as feral pig populations increased. Drowning is not humane! He went outside and took his .38 revolver and shot three times at the armadillo,” Rowe said. Will An Armadillo Eat Rat Poison? © Copyright 2003-2020 by AAAnimal Control. Armadillos are nocturnal and nomadic, so shooting is usually not practical. I was watching an armadillo nosing his (or her) way in my direction. Spray castor oil around the burrows of the armadillos with a spray bottle or liquid chemical sprayer. Now, there are several tested ways to get rid of the ambling creature without putting an end to its life. A Texas man was airlifted to hospital to get his jaw wired shut after he tried to shoot an armadillo and a bullet rebounded off the animal's hard shell, striking the man in the face. © 2015 Copyright Wildlife Removal USA | Web Design by: USA Wildlife Removal Education Guide and Resources, You can start by placing fences around it and equip with the surface with wire mesh for better reassurance, After which, you can set up a couple of cage traps near the burrows and wait for it to come in, Once the armadillo gets trapped inside the cage, you can keep it there for awhile until you get sufficient information on the best places where to take it, Catch as many armadillos in your time frame and set a schedule to when and where you will send it off for relocation to save you time from traveling back and forth, Better yet, avail the services offered by licensed wildlife experts to save significant amount of time and cost. The gun must be powerful enough to pierce the armadillo's armor - which while not as tough as a turtle's shell, does provide some degree of protection. Click here to hire us in your town and check prices - updated for year 2020. He went outside and took his .38 revolver and shot three times at the armadillo,” Rowe said. The majority of the diet of armadillos is made up out of insects and earthworms that they dig up themselves, so it is unnatural for armadillos to eat poison or any other food that isn’t alive. Check with local authorities regarding use of firearms. Place a trap in an armadillo’s natural pathway or burrow entrance. Range and Habitat. Alarger armadillo’s tail could catch the trap door, possibly allowing it to back out of the trap and escape. Shooting an armadillo is not that easy a task as the animal is capable of moving very fast when under threat. You may want to look at other effective control methods like exclusion by building fences and home repairs. Shooting An Armadillo As with many pest animals, the armadillo is very much a nocturnal animal which makes it much more difficult to shoot. Shooting an armadillo is a jerk move. He spotted the armadillo on his property and opened fire. The third challenge if you do have a gun powerful enough is that you will usually need to shoot the animal in the semi-dark, as armadillos are only really active around dusk and into the night. Plus the damage wreaked by an armadillo’s activity in a garden is extensive at best. Besides, it is illegal to kill armadillo in some locations. - Determine the best spot to set your lethal trap on as this aspect is important for success. The problem with using this kind of food as bait to cover rat poison is that it is more likely to be eaten by other animals such as cats and dogs. What could these armored, docile creatures possibly do to piss someone off so badly that they deserve to get shot at? Can armadillos transmit leprosy to people. However, if the opportunity arises, you may shoot them with either a rimfire or shotgun loaded with No. Can armadillos transmit leprosy to people? The bullet killed the animal, but it “also ricocheted off of it, hit a fence, went through the back door of his mother-in-law’s mobile home, through a recliner she was sitting in, and into her back….” I was out in a field where they had some cattle and the dove were few and far between. Armadillos are nuisance animals or pests because of their burrowing lifestyle that leaves small holes all over a yard, leading to the destruction of landscaping and uprooting of roots and mulch. A Texan man who tried to shoot an armadillo has found himself in hospital after his bullet bounced off the animal and hit him in the face. Are armadillos nocturnal? Armadillo, meaning "little armored one," was the name the Spanish gave shell-wearing mammals they encountered in the New World. How to Catch an Armadillo - Armadillos are a nuisance animal whose habitat is found in both North and South America. Before shooting, make certain that there are no rocks or other hard objects under the armadillo… The homeowner needs to work out the how and the where, considering that there are usually different rules as regards where to dump dead animals in different states. - learn more about armadillo leprosy, Raccoons Raccoon Removal Advice & Information, Squirrels Squirrel Removal Advice & Information, Opossum Opossum Removal Advice & Information, Skunks Skunk Removal Advice & Information, Groundhog Groundhog Removal Advice & Information, Armadillos Armadillo Removal Advice & Information, Beaver Beaver Removal Advice & Information, Coyotes Coyote Removal Advice & Information, Snakes Snake Removal Advice & Information, Dead Dead Animal Removal Advice & Information, OthersOther Wildlife Species Advice & Information. This is because of the armadillo’s shelled body that protects its internal organs. Any mistake in handling it may lead to injury for the user, so you may want to hire a wildlife practitioner to do the job. A MAN accidentally shot his mother-in-law in the back as she sat in her mobile home — after the bullet ricocheted off an armadillo. Besides, armadillos are nocturnal and only come out at night; this reduced visibility is not good for getting an accurate aim. - get the lowdown on prices. Poisoning is however an inhumane way to eliminate armadillos as the animal will go through severe pain and discomfort before eventually dying. They have even been known to dig under buildings and cause cracks in the foundation. Choose a steel … Fumigants and other poisonous substances have also been used in eliminating armadillos when the soil and its inhabitants are doused in the harmful chemicals. Armadillos have few wild predators, but coyotes, dogs, black bears, bobcats, cougars, foxes and raccoons are reported to catch and kill armadillos in places where these predators occur. Shooting an armadillo will likely kill it or at least injure it. After that, shooting in the head is okay. Operating 24/7/365. In April, a Georgia man accidentally shot his mother-in-law when he fired a pistol at an armadillo, according to ABC affiliate WALB News. While such activities are common in Texas, this man was taken aback by what followed. Way back in 2015, when we were still able to go out and enjoy outdoor activities, one guy from Texas decided to shoot an armadillo. behavior are likely to work. How to Get Rid of Armadillos - General strategies. Set it over an active burrow or in strategic places along the path of the armadillo. Also in Florida, it is OK to shoot the Armadillo, as a means of ridding yourself of your animal control problem. The animal’s hard shell deflected at least one of three bullets, which then struck the man’s jaw, he said. The armadillo is about the size of an opossum, weighing from 8 to 17 pounds (3.5 to 8 kg). divots in the lawn where they’ve dug up the turf looking for grubs. A good example of lethal traps is the body grip Conibear style trap 120 or 220. They prefer to dig up live insects and worms and only poisons that resemble worms or insects in appearance and How to Kill an Armadillo Armadillos are majestic and noble creatures. 4- to BB-sized shot. They’re known for tearing up flower beds in search of bugs and worms and leaving 3×5-inch (7.5-12 cm.)