Armadillo disposal tips

Q: I need some help with armadillos in my yard. They’ve dug a tunnel under my driveway. I’ve been looking for the right remedy for getting them out of their home. If I trap one, what do I do with it afterwards?

A: Armadillo control is tough. At best, you’re just managing their numbers on your property. If you remove one, others move in quickly.

There are no repellents that work. They do seem to be attracted to armadillo urine but I can’t find it for sale anywhere.

If you do decide to trap them you must have a plan to euthanize them afterwards. Shooting one while in the trap gives you the best chance to aim a bullet at the humane spot (head or spine) so the animal doesn’t suffer. A 22-caliber rimfire rifle is sufficient and is more discrete than other firearms. Before shooting, make certain that there are no rocks or other hard objects under the armadillo that could cause a ricochet. Wear eye protection to prevent debris from injuring your eyes. Gloves are necessary if you’ll touch the body or anything it has touched.

Drowning is not humane and is never appropriate!

Relocating is illegal and not humane.If you relocate an armadillo, you’re just adding to the problem somewhere else. It will probably die from starvation or dehydration because it does not know the new territory.

It may be possible to euthanize an armadillo using carbon dioxide (CO2). It should only be done with bottled CO2 and a flowmeter to determine how much CO2 to administer and how much is necessary to keep CO2 around the animal until death. It may take 30 minutes to an hour to humanely euthanize an armadillo.

Refer to American Veterinary Medical Association Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals:2020 Edition: Section S7.6 FREE-RANGING WILDLIFE:  page 97

Consult National Wildlife Control Training Program:Euthanasia Techniques: Carbon Dioxide

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