Those of you who have been reading this blog know I’ve had a time of it dealing with voracious deer. You will also recall I’ve been somewhat successful in getting them under control. Well-on to the next challenge.
East Texas is one very interesting place to live. If it is not deer or rocky raccoon (yes there has been an issue in the past with these guys too), then it is armadillos.
Approximately, two weeks ago I noticed a little bit of digging around one corner of a newly planted flower bed. I mistakenly attributed this to a local cat that previously used the bed as its litter box-yuck. As an aside, I discovered this while doing the planting-NOT pleasant.
Reality set in regarding the dug up corner of the flower bed, when I was sitting in the library contemplating what to share with the world in my blog. I looked out the back window and saw to my horror not one, not two, but four-yes four little armadillos. They were have a very merry time digging up my beautiful flower bed.
I continued to watch them to figure out where they were hiding so I could call for help and would be able to tell the Armadillo Hunter exactly where they went. But, being the cheap person I am, I thought I would do a little research to see if indeed we needed a professional hunter.
What I discovered is armadillos do not respond to bait. You have to rely on their limited sight and hope they will wonder into a trap. Well that was enough for me. The exterminator was called. He knows us well since he was here the prior week removing a swarm of bees. But, that is another story. (I’m telling you East Texas is an adventure.)
My hero arrived on crutches (I can’t make this up) with trap in hand. We collectively decided on the location for the trap based on my keen observations. Mr.Exterminator then stated “Call me when you catch one.” I think there was a bit of a sneer in his voice or perhaps skepticism. He drove away and I went back to watching with great anticipation.
Did I mention that armadillos are nocturnal? Well they are supposed to be. But, my four love the daylight. I’ve never seen mom and I have a sneaking suspicion she is no longer among the living. Dead armadillo bodies in the road help persuade me in that direction. Also, I learned that mom always has four little ones. It seems they are identical-one egg which spits into four little critters. Oh goodie. Perhaps this is why they stick so close to one another.
So there I was watching out my window waiting for one of the darlings to walk into the trap. Guess what, it didn’t happen. The first one out from under the deck just pushed that trap right out of the way. To say I was miffed is an understatement. Now, I know why the Armadillo Hunter sneered. I spent some time watching and hatched a plan. I would wrangle them into the trap one by one.
The next day, with broom in hand I went after the suckers. They had made it all the way to the front of the house. I quickly learned that a broom was not enough to get them to run in the desired direction. They are not that smart. They actually came at me instead of running in the opposite direction. It wasn’t an attack, although my blood pressure did go up. It was more of a confused and dazed- what was that- kind of run.
I beat their little backs with the broom and they did indeed finally decide to head for the hills-under the deck. I thought-ha, I’ll catch one now. One cut left around the trap, one cut right around the trap, another went over it and the fourth ran in. But, the trap didn’t spring closed, so he ran right out and under the deck. DANG!!
I regrouped. I fiddled with the trap and set everything back up. Onward and upward to the next day. That was Tuesday. Wednesday dawned with yours truly brimming with great determination.
My weapon of choice this day was a rake. Anticipation was quivering through me as I stared out the window. One waddled out. Another soon followed then the third one and finally the fourth. I didn’t spring immediately into action since they were beginning to catch on and would run the minute they heard me-or maybe smelled me. I’m not quite sure which sense is better on an armadillo.
Patience was rewarded. I had all four of them out of the flower bed and in the grass. Having watched their path I knew if I could set the trap at an angle to the gutter downspout they had to crawl under, that perhaps one would run right smack into the thing.
Quietly, I snuck into the flower bed and set things up. Then rake in hand I started the Great Round-up. Again the dummies ran right at me-yikes. I swatted with my rake and they finally caught on. One went in the flower bed, followed by two others. One turned tail and ran under the neighbor’s deck. Okay, so forget the oddball. Concentrate on the three at hand.
To my amazement, the first armadillo scampered over the top of the downspout and disappeared under the deck. The other two I had on the run. They were giving it all they were worth, one right on top of the other heading right for the downspout. This was working to my advantage. A silent prayer escaped me – keep going.
The armadillo in the lead must have felt the heated breath of his twin on his tail. He ran full tilt into the trap. Clunk, quick as everything the trap snapped shut. Whoo Hoo. One down, three to go.
A phone call later and a visit from the Armadillo Hunter (aka exterminator), the trap was empty and ready for the next round. Not to worry good folks, the exterminator is relocating the little critters as they are caught.
Morning dawns on a new day. Again, I am filled with anticipation. Can I duplicate this feat of foxiness? Returning home from my daily bout of exercise, I heard that all too family rustle in the bushes. Yup, the armadillos were out front again.
I grabbed my trusty rake and went after them. I figured they would run for the side of the house with their favorite flower bed. And I had everything all set up. Not to be- they ran in the opposite direction. What is up with that? I soon discovered they had dug a new way under the deck. Crafty critters. My trap was on the other side of the deck.
It didn’t take long for them to reappear. And yippee, they were in the flower bed again. I know how to do this. I waited for them to crawl into the yard and then I bounced. Armadillos learn fast. They bypassed their old route and entered the flower bed from the other side and scampered under the deck.
Defeated, I decided to leave them alone for the remainder of the day. But, when I went out the front door later-rustle rustle. I couldn’t help myself. I quickly relocated the trap to the new entry point on the other side of the deck. And, with rake in hand I found two of the remaining three armadillos.
The chase was on. Smack, and off they ran. I swished with the rake and they headed for their new entry point. Again they were nose to tail and running full tilt. The lead armadillo ran into the trap, but it DIDN’T CLOSE. Frantic, I beat on the top of the trap to spring the door, while the second armadillo tried in vain to get around the darn thing. Clunk! The trap sprung and I had armadillo number two.
Tomorrow is Friday. Another good day for trapping Armadillos.
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