Hello, I have a mole/gopher customer that has asked me to try and trap an armadillo that’s tearing up their yard. Most of the damage is in an area in the middle of front yard. I thought maybe I could use boards set in a (y) shape to funnel him into a live trap. Is there a better method for this ? Is there a bait that would work better ? Any input would be appreciated.

"Dillers are incredibly stupid animals, and should be easy to funnel into a cage, They eat worms/grubs etc, which is why they're so destructive to lawns. I doubt a bait will do you any good.

Thank you sir, I should have said funnel with boards in shape of a (v) not (y) .

X2 - good post

Funneling is the way to get them.

Funnel them with fencing and I usually throw a hand full of mealworm in the back and around the pan

This is how I do it with a double door. Note how it blocks house to woodline in this side yard.

I get four foot by fifty or twenty five foot rolls of plastic fencing. Cut them down to one foot rolls. This gives me fifties and twenty fives depending on what's needed. Pick up 24" grade stakes and just weave them into the fencing as needed. Be sure anchor the ends good as you'll tension the fence as you put it up. It needs to be tight to act as a solid barrier.

No bait needed. The little dummies will hit a solid and walk right down it into the trap.

Keys to funneling.

ID travel routes
Set "upstream" of feeding areas.
Use natural pinch points.
If unable to cover all possible areas of yard set the high percentage and use fencing to deny access to areas without traps.

The most effective way to catch armadillo is with a double door scented trap. No funnel needed.

Scented with what?

An armadillo

Do you mean by a previously trapped 'Diller, or road kill parts? Interesting concept, I know I've had better success trapping feral cats in a cage that held a previous catch.

Live works best.

Based on the number of dead ones I see, asphalt is the best attractant.

How would you bait a cage with a live 'Diller, tie it's little feet together and strap it down?

As I tell customers the hardest one to catch is the first one.

Once you got one use it to scent your cages. If using wire cages cut a thin plywood "floor" to slide in the cages. You want the diller to pee and crap on it. The more the better. Rotate cage to cage and don't move a cage that's caught, the dirt under will be scented.

This means handling live dillers. Gloves, firm grip on base of tail and point it away from you. Expect it to do the twist. Grounding it with knee in its back if need to get a better grip.

BTW, there's a soft spot right behind the head between the shell and head. Just saying, something sharp might slip in there.

Oh, and another thing. They don't do heat at all. Exposed cages need to be checked early. Don't try to transport them all day in the back of a truck.

This is what I'm referring to Bob. Let the live dillo scent it up then remove the live dillo. Trap is ready to go. Set upwind so the dillo can wind the box and they'll go right in.

Thanks, I'll remember that. "Dillers are moving north, and we're getting them here and points north.