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. [Reply]
Originally Posted by George Liquor:
I saw them smeared all over the high way last time I went to Oklahoma.
Yeah, until recently the highway is the only place I had ever seen them as well.
This spring there was a little one in the front yard during the day and the Mrs. alerted me to it. Not thinking I ran out there and the only thing handy was a BB gun. All that did was annoy him. When I came back in the house to get my Glock he was gone. :-) [Reply]
It’s funny you mention this. My dad and I have noticed over the past few years their northern expansion. We drive south from the Johnson County area to go fishing a lot down 69 highway or I-35 and he talks about how they you would never see them in the past. I don’t recall it either even 5 years ago. But we’ve noticed in the last few years we see more and more of them each year that have been hit on the road and they seem to be moving further and further north. It’s definitely got something to do with temperatures and probably dryness. [Reply]
I had one that kept burrowing in to my well house a couple of years ago and it was a pain in my ass. I caught it in a wire box trap one night/day and by 5pm it had bent the shit out of trap and escaped. Fixed the trap and caught it a couple of days later and moved it about 20 miles south. Haven't seen any on the homestead the past couple of years.
Have lots on the farm. They generally are not an issue except when burrowing and make huge holes and mounds. hey are not what you want near any foundation.
Easy to trap once you know where they are via nothing more than 2by 8's in a V with a live trap at the narrow end. They cant see for shit and will follow the board to the trap. You cannot bait them. They run like the dickens. [Reply]
Originally Posted by HonestChieffan:
Have lots on the farm. They generally are not an issue except when burrowing and make huge holes and mounds. hey are not what you want near any foundation.
Easy to trap once you know where they are via nothing more than 2by 8's in a V with a live trap at the narrow end. They cant see for shit and will follow the board to the trap. You cannot bait them. They run like the dickens.
It's gonna suck of the little bastards make it up to the ranch.
About 800 acres of mixed timber up there, lots of places where we take ATVs and stuff through tall grass.
That's a broken axel waiting to happen. We've hit a badger hole here and there but they're pretty rare. Those armadillos will make driving through tall grass a damn mine-field.
Originally Posted by Bob Dole:
I had one that kept burrowing in to my well house a couple of years ago and it was a pain in my ass. I caught it in a wire box trap one night/day and by 5pm it had bent the shit out of trap and escaped. Fixed the trap and caught it a couple of days later and moved it about 20 miles south. Haven't seen any on the homestead the past couple of years.
They apparently can't see for shit.
curious what you used for bait in the trap? [Reply]
My brother also sent me a snap about a week ago of one I'm his yard that he got close enough to pet. Apparently they're supposed to be timid and jumpy but not aggressive. [Reply]
Originally Posted by HemiEd:
Yeah, until recently the highway is the only place I had ever seen them as well.
This spring there was a little one in the front yard during the day and the Mrs. alerted me to it. Not thinking I ran out there and the only thing handy was a BB gun. All that did was annoy him. When I came back in the house to get my Glock he was gone. :-)
That's why you should always keep your Glock on your person.
Oh, and good shot on the one in the picture. [Reply]
