Frequently Asked Questions 
A Little About Armadillos
Armadillos are like most animals. They locate and associate with one another by the sense of smell. They have incredible olfactory (smell) senses. When they are foraging and they smell another armadillo, they will check it out. That is what makes a wooden trap work so well.
A Little About Armadillo Trap Placement
Typically, our customers find a spot on their property where the trap is obscure and in a shaded area. All they then have to do is just check daily to see if the trap doors are down. There are scores of customers with 50-100+ catches with our trap. They all have two things in common: they all have our wooden trap and they seldom move the trap around. They find a good shaded spot and leave the trap in that spot the year round.
View the Trap Placement Setup Video.
Find Your Answers Here
Q. Why should I buy a wooden trap?
A. Wood is used in the construction of this trap because of its porous quality which allows the trap to “soak up” the scent, while still being sturdy enough to withstand the elements and armadillos year after year.
Q. Scented vs. Unscented? What's the difference?
A. The scented traps have been “pre-seasoned” with the actual scent of an armadillo. This means that the scented trap has the capability of catching armadillos time after time without the use of guides.
The unscented traps have not been “pre-seasoned” meaning that first armadillo catch would have to be made with the use of guides by funneling him into the trap. This process is "hit and miss", and could take some time. After the first catch, the owner could put a mixture of dirt and water on the armadillo later that evening and let him sit in the trap for 24 hours. This would season the trap and do away with the need for using guides.
Q. What should I bait the trap with?
A. BAIT IS NOT RECOMMENDED! Bait most likely will result in the capture of an unwanted species. Armadillos communicate with one another via scent. Scent is what will lure the armadillo into the trap.
Q. How do I catch an armadillo with an unscented trap?
A. We offer the non-scented trap for our more frugal buyers and for our buyers who already have a pre-scented and wish to scent it on their own and save a little money. To catch an armadillo with an unscented trap, Guides must be used to “funnel” the armadillo into the trap. See below.
We recommend long flat boards stood up and staked into the ground. Often times other yard objects could be used as guides. This process can take some time so please be patient. Once an armadillo has been captured we recommend leaving it in the trap for 24 hours and pouring a mixture of topsoil and water in through the top hole that evening. The armadillo will walk all over the inside of the trap dragging scent glands. This will render the trap scented at which point we recommend leaving the trap in a cool shaded location and armadillos will locate it using their nose.
Q. Where do I place my trap?
A. A cool shaded place is favored as it will prolong the life of trap and will catch more armadillos. If your property backs up to a wooded area it is ideal to put the trap on the edge of those woods or between your home and the woods as a barrier, in the hope that the armadillo will pass by the trap and be captured before doing any damage to your property.
Q. What do I do with an armadillo when I catch one?
A. THE TRAP NEEDS TO BE CHECKED EVERY DAY IT IS SET! If you capture an armadillo and it dies and rots in the trap, the trap will be ruined. The trap is designed to capture armadillos unharmed and The Armadillo Trap LLC does not advocate either the euthanization or release of the animal, it is the owner's choice as how to deal with the animal. However we do not recommend the handling of the animal dead or alive as it is a wild animal and known carrier of many diseases.
Q. What do I do if I catch an unwanted species? (Raccoon, Opossum, etc.)
A. Rarely does the The Armadillo Trap capture a species other than armadillos. However if you happen to capture an animal other than an armadillo we recommend opening the door opposite of you and leaving so the animal can exit the trap on its own time. This will reduce the risk of an unwanted confrontation with a raccoon or skunk.
Q. How long will the scent last in the wooden trap?
A. The length of time the trap should be effective varies. Most all of our highly successful (50-100 catches) customers have two things in common. They rarely move the trap from its permanent location, and they utilize daytime shade for the permanent trapping location. A scented trap located in a shaded area will be stronger longer.
The freshness of the scent is recharged every time an armadillo is caught. The distance the scented trap will “call” another armadillo that passes downwind varies depending on how strong the scent is. We have many customers who have owned their trap for several years and every trap goes through a dormant periods. It is not uncommon for traps to go four to six months dormant and catch armadillos when they return.
Q. I have a wire trap and I have had armadillos tear out. Can they get out of your trap?
A. The Armadillo Trap is constructed of ¾” treated plywood. Each has 30 screws attached by hand. The only way for an armadillo that is caught in the trap to escape is for the door to be opened by the owner.
Q. I have several acres. How many traps do I need?
A. In most cases, just one. There are situations where more than one is needed. One option in that case is to purchase one scented trap and one (or more) unscented traps. The unscented traps can be scented with catch(es) from other traps. Simply transfer a captured armadillo into an unscented trap, leave it in that trap for 24 hours and it then will be scented.
Q. My budget is tight. If I bought the unscented trap, how would I catch an armadillo?
A. Any trap, other than our scented wood trap, would necessitate the use of guides, fencing or some method to funnel the armadillo into the trap. Our unscented wood trap is no different except that, once the first armadillo is caught, it will then be scented.
Q. What do I do about the trap when I go on vacation or can't otherwise monitor it?
A. One thing that will render the wooden trap useless is an armadillo to die and decompose in the trap. When you know you are going to be away for more than 2-3 days, close the doors down and put a piece of wood or limb under the door so that it is not totally shut.
Q. Should I put the trap under a shed if I know it is going to rain?
A. The trap is designed for the outdoors. It will take a lot of rain to have a little effect. Do not locate the trap in a watershed area. When the dormant winter months come, it would be better for the trap to be moved indoors.
The safe and humane way to remove armadillos from your property.
