I think I have a neighbor under my deck.

T

TheFied

2,500+ Posts
Yesterday morning before heading to the game I put down some Corn Gluten Meal. When I went to my backyard I found a surprise. It looks like something has dug a hole under my deck. They have tried in 3 different places and appear to have been successful in one good ~6 inch hole. I cleaned up the dirt but by the biggest hole, there was a mount of dirt on the steps.

I imagine that I need to call an exterminator? Any thoughts what this might be? I haven't seen it yet but not a big fan. We have no pets by the way.

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Could be anything under there. I'd set a $2 snare, myself, but you could also put a rock over the hole at about 3am - and see if you can lock your new neighbor out of its 'house'.
 
Oh no. I don't mean to alarm you but I am pretty sure you have a Southwestern Mamba, also known as a House Mamba. They are not afraid of human contact or their presence. They dig holes like this just before winter to use the underside of your house as shelter. They don't hibernate the entire winter and will come into your house when you are away.

It will sleep in your bed, it will swim in your toilet and it will maybe even steal your beer. If you come home early it will bite your ***.

There is a colorful bird that specializes in hunting many forms of Mamba. Get one.
 
I'm at my folk's house and told my Dad. He immediately said armadillo. I showed him the pictures and he said definitely an armadillo. I also have random spots in my yard where it looks like he was digging.
 
Yeah, undoubtedly a Momba hole. But most likely a basement Momba; the most dangerous type. I've heard it has Colt McCoy speed...beware!
 
ah, the joys of suburban living. Most likely, an armadillo, they really like to dig.
At least you didn't come home from the OU game, intent on spending Sunday cleaning out the garage, and instead have to spend half a day removing boards from your deck to locate a very odoriforous deceased possum, then burying same in the back yard.
Anyone know any appropriate words to say over the interment site? We haven't conducted a memorial service yet.
 
Let's assume it is an armadillo... is it living under there or did it go there to get food and left? And how to get rid of it? My dad suggested a 22 but I don't think my neighbors would care for that.

My backyard fence is a stone wall with holes about the size of a football so I am not surprised that an armadillo made it in the backyard. I have seen cotton-tails and raccoons a few times.
 
Why pay someone to do the work when you can do it yourself??

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Clearly, that's where Mack and the team buried the OU game ball.

Dig it up and put it on ebay. There's money to be made.
 
Well, when you're down on your luck,
and you ain't got a buck,
in London you're a goner.
Even London Bridge has fallen down,
and moved to Arizona,
now I know why.
And I'll substantiate the rumor
that the English sense of humor
is drier than the Texas sand.
You can put up your dukes,
and you can bet your boots,
that I'm leavin' just as fast as I can.

Chorus;
I wanna go home with the armadillo.
Good country music from Amarillo and Abilene.
The friendliest people and the prettiest women
you've ever seen.

Well it's cold over here, and I swear,
I wish they'd turn the heat on.
And where in the world is that English girl,
I promised I would meet on the third floor.
And of the whole damn lot, the only friend I got,
is a smoke and a cheap guitar.
My mind keeps roamin', my heart keeps longin'
to be home in a Texas bar.

Chorus

Well, I decided that, I'd get my cowboy hat
and go down to Marble Arch Station.
'Cause when a Texan fancies, he'll take his chances,
and chances will be takin, now that's for sure.
And them Limey eyes, they were eyein' a prize,
that some people call manly footwear.
And they said you're from down South,
and when you open your mouth,
you always seem to put your foot there.

Chorus
Chorus
 
An armadillo wouldn't simply live under the deck - it would have a hole underneath there. They leave underground.
 
Could be an armadillo, but I'm bettin' on a skunk so I would not trap it. I made that mistake once. Also, it could be a possum, fox or a number of others. One thing you can try is buying some Critter Ridder at Home Depot (black pepper & capsacian). Sprinkle it around liberally close to the opening, and hopefully they'll leave. Then you can seal it back up. I used it to drive 3 raccoons out of my attic after they chewed a hole into the roof.

Let us know what happens.
 
Wild Bill, I hope to high heavens it isn't a skunk. What to do if you catch it...

I am going to try to catch it though with a trap. But I am going to Academy to buy some earth worms from their fishing dept and put them in a stocking hose. I don't think that will lure a skunk or raccoon (I hope).
 
Fied:
I thought I had an armadillo digging under my fence every night about 12 years ago to dig in the yard for grub worms. I set a trap and caught a skunk. I was screwed because there was no way to get close to the trap without getting sprayed. He got me good. I learned that you need a covered trap or cover it yourself. I think it is illegal to dump the animal elsewhere, but if you drive out in the country pretty far and no one sees you.... Just sayin.
 
Dude you better hope its not a opossum. Good luck releasing that thing. They are vicious. Caught one once and had my father in law try to take it away and release it. Thing went so nuts on him, he had to just let it back out in the yard.
 
I put the trap out Tuesday night and bought some night crawlers at Academy and put it inside some panty hose... Nothing yet. But I found a rabbit under my deck, a good sized. Could this have done it? I saw him under the deck with a flashlight chilling by the foundation of the house.
 
Beware..."the entrance to this cave is guarded by a creature so foul, so cruel that no man yet has fought with it and lived. Bones of full fifty men lie strewn about its lair. So, brave knights, if you do doubt your courage or your strength, come no further, for death awaits you all with nasty, big, pointy teeth."
I'd steer clear of that beast.
 
How good is your Elmer Fudd imitation? Wabbits can't stand someone singing, "A hunting we will go, A hunting we will go...."
 
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