Does Anyone Have Problems With Armadillos?

[Villages Kahuna]

A landscape service person told me today that there are certain parts of The Villages where homeowners suffer from lots of damage from armadillos! I asked if she meant the round, "armored" animals that I thought were residents of Texas and the desert states. She answered that the Villages pests were one in the same. She explained that people go out and find their lawn and particularly planting beds all torn up when the pests root around for subterranean bugs, worms and so forth.

I had never heard of such a problem outside of Texas, where the greater problem there is that the little animals run on the highways and become traffic hazards. Has anyone actually seen and armadillo or experienced their damage here in The Villages?

[SteveFromNY]

Not in TV, but I have seen plenty of the little fellows all over parts of northern FL. I'll bet they're south, but I haven't spent as much time there. Just saw a few in February at the Ft Wilderness Resort in Disney where I was camping. They are pretty much blind, and with all that armor, and their apparent little tiny brains, have little fear of people. When camping once by Flagler Beach we actually had 2 of them come thru our campsite and pass under the table we were sitting at while they were foraging for food. Noisy little guys too - they make a racket going thru the brush.

[mailme]

We had them when we lived in Oklahoma. They don't come out during the daytime.

mm

[jjdees]

I've seen them in mid to northern Alabama, but never saw one in Georgia. I too was surprised. I always thought they were only in Texas and thereabouts.

[kd-dp2000]

Saw one dead in the middle of Buena Vista Blvd. about a year ago. Stopped to make sure it was, in fact, an armadillo !

[beady]

Tons of them in Louisiana. Mega road kill down there. Never seen any here, or heard they were a problem :dontknow: :dontknow:

[Muncle]

Do I have a problem with armadillos? Not the entire species, but individual armadillos can be a pain in the rear. In general, they are loud and abrasive. They're incapable of carrying on a honest conversation regarding politics or religion without crowing about their supposed inherent superiority. They are impossible to work with or for in that they never carry their weight and always try to take credit for everything. On the golf course, they are abhorrent. They talk while others are swinging, stand in your line of sight, and never, never rake a sandtrap or fix a ball mark. And god forbid you get behind one in the checkout line at the supermarket. And, of course, every time they get a cup of tea, they insist on a fresh, clean cup! :yikes:

[Village Kid 2]

They are definitely in north Florida. I have seen them at night often. In fact, I heard rustling downstairs one night and found that one had come in through the cat door and was happily rooting in the cat's dry food bowl. Ugh.

I'll bring a couple of the nicer ones down for Muncle.

VK

[Mikitv]

They are all over Arkansas. See them mostly as road kill.

[renielarson]

VK...how on earth did you handle that situation? I'm scared to death of mice let alone the thought of an armadillo in my house. What did you do to get rid of the critter?

[handieman]

Do I have a problem with armadillos? Not the entire species, but individual armadillos can be a pain in the rear. In general, they are loud and abrasive. They're incapable of carrying on a honest conversation regarding politics or religion without crowing about their supposed inherent superiority. They are impossible to work with or for in that they never carry their weight and always try to take credit for everything. On the golf course, they are abhorrent. They talk while others are swinging, stand in your line of sight, and never, never rake a sandtrap or fix a ball mark. And god forbid you get behind one in the checkout line at the supermarket. And, of course, every time they get a cup of tea, they insist on a fresh, clean cup! :yikes:

:pop:
And I thought I was "off the wall" ::)
handie :joke:

[LB]

Lots of them in West Palm Beach. Keep your screens closed and you will not have them in the house. I doubt they would go into house anyway. Very difficult to get rid of. I have tried everything.

[chelsea24]

Do I have a problem with armadillos? Not the entire species, but individual armadillos can be a pain in the rear. In general, they are loud and abrasive. They're incapable of carrying on a honest conversation regarding politics or religion without crowing about their supposed inherent superiority. They are impossible to work with or for in that they never carry their weight and always try to take credit for everything. On the golf course, they are abhorrent. They talk while others are swinging, stand in your line of sight, and never, never rake a sandtrap or fix a ball mark. And god forbid you get behind one in the checkout line at the supermarket. And, of course, every time they get a cup of tea, they insist on a fresh, clean cup! :yikes:

http://www.millan.net/minimations/smileys/dramaqueensmil.gif (http://www.millan.net)
You found me out Uncle Muncle -- I married an armadillo! And he's a Republican!

[Village Kid 2]

Brightspot, as with all critters that have found their way in, either by themselves or the cats bring in, I open all the doors and chase them with the broom while screaming and they run scared until they find an out. The armadillo was tricky because I was scared of it and it was freaked too, plus blind. I actually felt sorry for it. :'(

[Pebbles]

I moved to TV this year from a retirement community in Winter Haven, Polk County, Florida. Our community was infested with armadillos a few years ago, they were digging up gardens and lawns and causing a lot of destruction. I do remember taking Pebbles out one evening, and there was the ugliest creature I have ever seen in my front garden. I don't know who was more frightened. So yes there are armadillos in Florida, I just hope they don't find their way to TV.

[Muncle]

I don't want my comments to be misinterpreted. I am not against armadillos. Several of my Ozarkian cousins rave about their qualities, especially when served on the half shell with hot sauce. Their only objection is the difficulty they sometimes have in removing the tread marks. :barf: Maybe the next VHA fund raiser dinner can be armadillo rather than spaghetti, maybe or some combination thereof (it'll sound better in Italian). Look for my booth at next year's Chili Cook-Off.

[handieman]

I don't want my comments to be misinterpreted. I am not against armadillos. Several of my Ozarkian cousins rave about their qualities, especially when served on the half shell with hot sauce. Their only objection is the difficulty they sometimes have in removing the tread marks. :barf: Maybe the next VHA fund raiser dinner can be armadillo rather than spaghetti, maybe or some combination thereof (it'll sound better in Italian). Look for my booth at next year's Chili Cook-Off.



::)
Rolls his eyes and makes a note to invite this guy to my next party
Handie :joke:

[MMC24]

I don't want my comments to be misinterpreted. I am not against armadillos. Several of my Ozarkian cousins rave about their qualities, especially when served on the half shell with hot sauce. Their only objection is the difficulty they sometimes have in removing the tread marks. :barf: Maybe the next VHA fund raiser dinner can be armadillo rather than spaghetti, maybe or some combination thereof (it'll sound better in Italian). Look for my booth at next year's Chili Cook-Off.




I like mine with a Pinot Noir. It really compliments the flavor of the jerked Armadillo meat recipe I got from the Texas Highways Magazine.

[F16 1UB]

Hells bells all along I thought you were talking about Amarillos. The house. Lasik is sure looking better on the horizon. That or cut back on coffee. Nah and miss out on all the trips to the bathroom? Never!

Early 70's parents had one messing in my moms flowers. They lived on Lake Minnehaha near Clermont FL. Keyword HAD.

[Hancle704]

Saw many of them in Orlando area when we lived there in late 70's. Believe that development and vehicles contributed to their decline in Central FL. Don't believe anyone has spoken out about putting them on the endangered species list. With respect to their taste, is there a difference between farm raised or organic free range varieties

For more info about them goto
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/UW082

[RCT]

I don't want my comments to be misinterpreted. I am not against armadillos. Several of my Ozarkian cousins rave about their qualities, especially when served on the half shell with hot sauce. Their only objection is the difficulty they sometimes have in removing the tread marks. :barf: Maybe the next VHA fund raiser dinner can be armadillo rather than spaghetti, maybe or some combination thereof (it'll sound better in Italian). Look for my booth at next year's Chili Cook-Off.


I will "look out" for your booth.

[RCT]

I've lived down south in Boca Raton for 28 years, and used to see them all the time until the late 80's. And haven't seen one in the east part where we are since then, but still have seen a few when I go to western parts of the city. What's said is true, they have no fear, really, but are relatively harmless, unless threatened, as most animals, OR if they are sick, they can be vicious, but seeing as their seeing isn't good, isn't like they hunt you out or anything.

[The Great Fumar]

Hey Muncle is right !!!!
They are really good eating, I go out at night and hunt for them, They freeze quite well........In the OZARKS we refer to them as POSSUM ON THE HALF SHELL) You folks with strict diets should branch out more.....Try it , you'll like it.........
culinary fumar

:#1: ;D ;D ;D

[renielarson]

Mesquite-Grilled Sun-Dried Texas Armadillo Roadkill With Orange Mango Chutney Lime Cilantro Curry Ginger Chile Remoulade Sauce

1 orange
1 mango
1 cup chutney
1 lime
1 bunch cilantro, chopped
2 T curry powder
1 T chopped ginger
1 Habanero chile
2 six-packs Lone Star Beer (or one 12-pack)
Salt and pepper
½ Texas roadkill armadillo, cleaned*

Combine orange and mango. Stir in chutney. Strain through a fine sieve. Remove mango and save for garnish. Cook, stirring slowly, in a saucepan. Add lime juice, cilantro, curry powder and ginger. Peel chile and remove seeds. Discard chile and add peel and seeds to sauce. Drink five beers. Add sixth beer to sauce. Season with salt and pepper. Taste, correct seasoning, and simmer for one half hour. Pour half of sauce over armadillo and marinate in a tightly sealed container in refrigerator. Remove from refrigerator the next day. Do not open container indoors or with other persons present. Drink second six-pack. Pour gasoline over pile of mesquite wood in fireproof container. Light fire and grill armadillo over medium flame, basting with marinade. Garnish with mango pieces and remaining half of sauce and serve.

*If not found by scavenging locally, can be purchased at specialty stores or organic food markets.

Source: http://www.armadillos.info/cuisine.html ::) :beer2: :dontknow: ;) :o

[KathieI]

this whole thread
has made me :barf:
enjoy your dinner!!

[punkpup]

I've never seen one, alive that is but as a purse I always thought they were kinda kewl and a true Texas icon. I don't know about considering them a culinary delight though. I'm kinda thinkin' y'all are pullin' my leg. Definitely sounds like one o' them Texas "Tall Tales" lol.

Once a long time ago I seem to remember hearing the most disturbing story about a kid contracting Leprosy from participating in a stupid adolescent game of armadillo wrestling. I freely admit that I could have been experiencing a waking dream because the whole idea seems absolutely preposterous!!! Ya never know; truth is stranger than fiction!

I'm posting from work and don't have accees to the web so verification will have to wait till I get home this evening.

[Russ_Boston]

I saw one in the Epcot parking lot! Went right up to it with the car to verify. Ugly looking thing, hope there not around by TV home!

[marianne237]

We saw 2 of them (1 alive, 1 dead) on Rainey Trail just before it enters 301. The buzzards were enjoying the one...think they had a botle of hot sauce with them.

[punkpup]

Well here's the answer to Armadillos and Leprosy. :yikes:

http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a990219.html

It doesn't totally answer the question about actual armadillo to human transmission of the disease though.