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05.23.2003 - I managed to capture this fine photo of an armadillo running along at night. Armadillos are nocturnal creatures, so they're not often
seen. When they are spotted, they are frequently rooting around, sniffing the ground for worms and grubs, and digging. I saw this armadillo sniffing the lawn
at a customer's house after dark (I work long days) and I quietly approached it. It ran away, but I ran along after it, and managed to take this photograph.
It's a nice looking (in my opinion) and relatively harmless animal, so why do people desire armadillo removal? The primary reason is because armadillos are
digging and burrowing animals, and they will dig up a lawn in search of food, or dig large burrows on the property in which to live, love, and laugh. Armadillos
love to laugh. They often dig these burrows next to a home, and can potential undermine the foundation. Thus, many customers call me seeking armadillo removal.
Here are the primary tactics:
Trapping: The best way to get rid of armadillos in any given area is to trap and remove them. I place cage traps in the appropriate manner in the appropriate
places, and I catch the armadillos humanely, then relocate them away from the area.
Exclusion: When possible, why not just block the armadillos out of the property? For example, if they're going under a shed, porch, or pool deck, I can
install steel screen around the perimeter to keep them out. Or a fence around the property - I can install steel screen into the ground at the bottom of the fence,
and this keeps the armadillos out.
Repellents: Sorry to get you excited, but there's really no such thing. Go ahead and try the classics: moth balls, ammonia (actually, these aren't good
for the environment) or coyote urine. They won't affect armadillos in the slightest.
Your best bet actually, is probably to hire an experienced armadillo trapper for your dillo removal needs.
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