How to Remove an Armadillo

Armadillos are interesting pests.

Armadillos are a pest that can, initially, be quite interesting. If you've never seen an armadillo before, their unusual appearance and strange habits -- like leaping vertically in the air -- can be intriguing. Armadillos, however -- more specifically, the Nine-Banded Armadillos found in the United States -- have been linked to leprosy (Hansen's disease) and can wreak havoc in fields and on farms, due to their perpetual digging. They are also quite messy, as they mark their territory with urine and feces, and have a famously smelly aroma. Getting rid of them, therefore, will quickly become a high priority.

Things You'll Need

• Traps

Instructions

1. Observe their habits. If you are going to capture and remove an armadillo that has made itself at home on your property, you will need to have a general idea of the path he moves on and his favorite places to burrow. Spend a day or two observing the patterns of digging, where he comes from, and where he goes. Armadillos are nocturnal, so you will need to spend some time outdoors at night to make this happen.

2. Set your traps near the armadillo's burrow and along the edge of your property. Setting multiple traps -- preferably three or four -- these will be most effective at capturing the armadillo quickly and efficiently. Place them along the perimeter of your property or near fences or tree lines, where armadillos like to walk safely. While food products like ripe fruits and vegetables are generally ineffective at capturing armadillos, they will be attracted to bugs and worms; consider placing a shallow bowl of earthworms in the traps.

3. Carefully remove the armadillo by transporting it to a location away from your property. Due to the armadillo's strong scent, it is not recommended that you transport it in your vehicle; use an open bed truck or a wagon instead. Preferable relocation spots include a place with lots of low brush and a lake or pond.

4. Call your local animal control, if your attempts are unsuccessful and the armadillo doesn't seem to be scared off by your interest in him and his family.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't try to trap and remove armadillos using bait. These creatures live off of bugs, worms, and grubs, and won't be attracted to any food you try to use to catch them. Instead, you may just end up attracting other pests, like opossums or raccoons.

• No toxins are registered in the United States as legal or effective for killing or repelling armadillos.

• In some states trapping and relocating armadillos may be illegal. Check state and local laws before interfering with the animal. If it is illegal to move them where you live, your first step should be calling animal control.

• Never attempt to pick up an armadillo with your bare hands. While they are non-aggressive and primarily vegetarian -- they will feed on roadkill, but not live animals -- they can run very quickly -- and if you do capture it, it may scratch you with its extremely long and sharp claws.

References

• Michigan State University: Armadillos - Funny Animals, or Destructive Pests?
• Michigan State University: Armadillos - FAQs
• San Francisco State University: The Biogeography of the Nine-Banded Armadillo
• All Star Animal Removal: Armadillo Removal
• Allstate Animal Control: Armadillo FAQs
• Wildlife: Armadillo Control

Resources

• Professional Wildlife Removal: Armadillo Control