Armadillo invasion

[HemiEd]

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.

[threebag]

Originally Posted by HemiEd

I have tried the trapping thing with dog food and even dug up a bunch of grubs and worms for the $70 trap I bought that was a waste of money. Spent about two weeks doing it with no luck.

I made a trail of grub worms in little container lids from in front of the trap all the way to the back of it. Nope. Everything I have read indicated that it would be very difficult to trap them and I have determined it is a waste of time and money.

My next step is to spread so much Merit/bug killer that it will totally eliminate the food source that attracts them. I have put Merit down annually, but plan on going well beyond that. https://www.domyown.com/merit-05-ins...les-p-301.html

I was thinking more sitting on the porch, drinking coffee and the 12 ga.

[HemiEd]

Originally Posted by threebag

I was thinking more sitting on the porch, drinking coffee and the 12 ga.

I tried that one night and the boredom was just overwhelming, plus, staying up past nine o'clock for me is just not in the cards anymore.

I have a balcony deck over my garage that is where I have been doing the shooting from.

Just a few minutes ago I checked and there is as much or more yard damage as ever, so there are still plenty of these little varmits around it appears.

[Megatron96]

If you have access to a trail cam I’d set it up and see exactly what you’re dealing with numbers-wise. Might need to have a whack-a-dillo party.

[TribalElder]

I've found they are most active at night

Also, my favorite tool for dispatching armored dildos is the marlin model 60

[Frazod]

You should host the next CP gathering, Ed.

We’ll take care of your armadillo problem.

[BigOlChiefsfan]

Originally Posted by HemiEd

⁶
Heck I can't even carry reading glasses and have over a dozen pair now staged in convenient places.

Thank you on the nice shot compliment but I missed two last night. It's like the suckers put the word out that I killed one of their buddies so let's go really tear his shit up!

Yean, I got an email @ work from someone calling herself 'Armadildo' who mentioned you and where to meet. Might be too windy and stormy for 'em tonite. Or maybe that's just what they want you to think!

[HemiEd]

Originally Posted by Megatron96

If you have access to a trail cam I’d set it up and see exactly what you’re dealing with numbers-wise. Might need to have a whack-a-dillo party.

I have been too lazy to set it up but am in the process of doing it right now. Thank you

Originally Posted by Frazod

You should host the next CP gathering, Ed.

We’ll take care of your armadillo problem.

That is an awesome idea. I would love that! Let me bring that up to the Mrs. If you don't hear from me for a while, it didn't go well.

[HemiEd]

Originally Posted by Megatron96

If you have access to a trail cam I’d set it up and see exactly what you’re dealing with numbers-wise. Might need to have a whack-a-dillo party.

I had the game cam set up out there for a while, but then moved it without looking at it to a different location on our property. It is now back out there to keep an eye on these little pests, thanks.

[Frazod]

Originally Posted by HemiEd

That is an awesome idea. I would love that! Let me bring that up to the Mrs. If you don't hear from me for a while, it didn't go well.

The one thing missing from Joe's parties was drunken gunplay in the dark! Just think of all the "hold my beer" and "hey y'all, watch this!" moments we could later cherish.

[ShortRoundChief]

Originally Posted by HemiEd

I had the game cam set up out there for a while, but then moved it without looking at it to a different location on our property. It is now back out there to keep an eye on these little pests, thanks.

Help me out here. Is that not just a lone armadillo? If so, shoot that monster.

[Megatron96]

Originally Posted by Frazod

You should host the next CP gathering, Ed.

We’ll take care of your armadillo problem.

If I lived within 4 hours of there, I'd show up for that for sure. See what a .30-06 could do to one of those things.

[HemiEd]

Originally Posted by ShortRoundChief

Help me out here. Is that not just a lone armadillo? If so, shoot that monster.

It's an older game cam that records to a chip. Notice the date of September 10?
It could be one of the three I have already shot but they all look alike.

One of my son in laws has live game cams to his phone so he can keep an eye on his cattle and the wild hogs on his property.

[HemiEd]

Originally Posted by Frazod

The one thing missing from Joe's parties was drunken gunplay in the dark! Just think of all the "hold my beer" and "hey y'all, watch this!" moments we could later cherish.

Bless his heart, rest in peace Joe. He and his Mrs. were wonderful hosts from everything I have heard and read. Those events were legendary. Certainly enjoyed my time with him and wish I had been able to make it to one those.

That being said, with two daughters families, two brothers, three sisters and all of their families the Mrs. thinks we get enough company at our age, so the conversation didn't last very long.

[Frazod]

Originally Posted by HemiEd

Bless his heart, rest in peace Joe. He and his Mrs. were wonderful hosts from everything I have heard and read. Those events were legendary. Certainly enjoyed my time with him and wish I had been able to make it to one those.

That being said, with two daughters families, two brothers, three sisters and all of their families the Mrs. thinks we get enough company at our age, so the conversation didn't last very long.

Uh, nothing contained in either of my last two posts was intended to be taken even remotely seriously.