These disgusting little critters are migrating north and are causing some maddening damage on my property. I have learned that several of my friends are also experiencing this you. How about you? Have you any suggestions or experience with them?
I remember when as a kid, they were not north of Texas. Then according to what I have found they made it north to Missouri in the 70s. Armadillos migrated to North America through Central America and Mexico, crossing the Rio Grande River in the late 1800s. Humans also introduced them to Florida during this time.
Now, I don't intend to start an argument about climate change, but they don't like the cold and they are mostly nocturnal, but they may be more active during the day when it's cooler. Researchers believe climate change is a factor in armadillos' northward expansion, as they prefer hot weather and sandy or clay environments.
There is a ton of information out there on them, so I am not going to bore you with cutting and pasting all of it.
Below is just a small sample of the damage they have been doing to my property.
Below is a picture of one I shot the other night a 3 AM. No, armadillos are not protected in Missouri, and are legal to hunt and trap year-round. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) allows residents to trap or shoot armadillos that are causing damage to their property.
Armadillos are considered a nuisance because they can: Damage lawns and gardens, Burrow into the ground, and Carry bacteria that can cause leprosy.
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I have eliminated two of them from being a problem. They are now buzzard food.
My motion detector lights turned out to be folly and so did the trap I bought. They weren't the least bit interested in the dog food I used for bait.
Double 00 shot works good though.
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Killed another one at 2:45 this morning. Hopefully that will be the end of these little bastards for a while.
Kind of crazy how getting up to pee and ending up shooting the 12 gauge gets your heart rate up, making it difficult to go back to sleep.
:-)
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Originally Posted by Al Czervik:
Nice job cleaning up the trash....
The only good Armadillo is a dead Armadillo
I could not agree more. The critter did a lot damage on it's "last shot"
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