How to Build a Trap for Armadillos

Armadillos have very strong legs and claws that they use for tearing apart mounds of soil. That causes a huge headache for homeowners because armadillos can dig up a whole yard in a matter of hours. If you find an armadillo in your yard, the best way to get rid of it is to build a trap. The trap does not harm the armadillo and provides a safe way to protect your lawn.

Things You'll Need

  • Three 10-foot by 2-inch by 4-inch wood planks
  • Table saw
  • Hammer
  • Wood nails
  • 5-foot by 10-foot by 1-inch plywood sheet
  • ½-inch diameter Wood dowel (4 inches in length)
  • Power drill
  • ½-inch Drill bit
  • ¼-inch Drill bit
  • 2-foot by 2-foot by 1-inch Plexiglas sheet
  • Plexiglas blade
  • Six fish-lines
  • Scissors
  • Triangular doorstop
  • Eight live earthworms
  • 10 cups of dirt
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Instructions

  1. Frame

    • 1

      Cut four 2-by-4 wood planks to the length of 3 feet using a table saw. Cut eight 2-by-4 wood planks to the length of 2 feet using a table saw.

    • 2

      Place two 3-foot wood planks parallel with each other. Place two 2-foot wood planks perpendicular to the other planks. This makes a rectangular shape.

    • 3

      Nail the corners of the planks. Hammer two nails into each corner. Continue until all the planks are nailed together. This makes the bottom frame. Repeat this step to make the top frame.

    • 4

      Place a 2-foot wood plank vertically on the corner of the bottom frame. Nail through the bottom frame into the bottom of the plank. Continue until all corners have vertical planks.

    • 5

      Place the top frame on top of the four vertical planks. Nail through the top frame into the top of the plank. Continue until all the vertical planks have been attached.

    Walls

    • 6

      Cut two 3-foot by 2-foot plywood sheets. Place one sheet lengthwise on one side of the frame. Nail it into the frame. Repeat this step for the other side.

    • 7

      Cut one 2-foot 8-inch by 2-foot 2-inch plywood sheet. Place it vertically on the back of the frame. Nail it into the frame.

    • 8

      Cut one 3-foot by 2-foot 8-inch plywood sheet. Place it lengthwise on the top of the frame. Nail it into the frame. Invert the frame.

    • 9

      Cut one 3-foot by 2-foot 7-inch plywood sheet. Place it lengthwise on the top of the frame. Nail it into the frame. There is a 1-inch opening for the trap door.

    Trap Door

    • 10

      Drill a quarter-inch hole through the dowel. Tie six fish-lines to the hole.

    • 11

      Drill a half-inch hole in the front top frame of the trap. Place the dowel into the hole. The fish-line end faces the back.

    • 12

      Cut a 2-foot by 2-foot Plexiglas sheet. Place it through the opening in the ceiling.

    • 13

      Cut a 2-foot by 1-foot 6-inch plywood sheet. Drill a quarter-inch hole near the edge. This is the teeter sheet.

    • 14

      Place a doorstop in the middle the floor. Place the plywood sheet from Step 5 lengthwise over the doorstop. The hole faces the back wall.

    • 15

      Connect six fish-lines from the dowel to the back of the trap. Tie the fish-line to the hole at the back of the teeter sheet

    • 16

      Bait trap with eight live earthworms. Place the earthworms on top of teeter sheet. Cover the earthworms with dirt.