To successfully eliminate damage caused by feral hogs long term, they need to be removed from the environment. However, at a smaller scale such as an individual pasture, a yard, a school, or a neighborhood, changes can be made to prevent feral hog access and discourage long term residence. As with other management options, these tools are most effective when used in combination and with long term monitoring to ensure they remain effective.
Water Removal
When managing damage caused by feral hogs, a good first step is to remove the resources that are attracting them. Feral hogs select habitat based on two overarching categories: access to food and access to water. Standing water can present its own hazards by providing a location for mosquito larva to develop, but it can also make an area more ideal to feral hogs. When possible, ensure that water from rain, irrigation, or sprinklers flows off the premises and doesn’t leave large puddles suitable for wallowing. In the case of large or permanent bodies of water that may not be possible to remove, consider fencing options to limit access to the resource.
Food Removal
Food for feral hogs can take on a variety of forms. While natural foods such as acorns and tubers make up a large part of their diet, food related to humans including pet food, bird seed, livestock feed, and even garbage can be a significant attractant for feral hogs (and other critters) if easily accessible. These food sources should be removed, stored in a secure location, or made inaccessible to feral hogs to help deter their presence in an area.
Fences at Feeders
In some areas, food sources cannot be entirely eliminated because managers have prioritized providing supplemental food to wildlife. In these situations, it is best to limit access to feral hogs. In the case of a typical deer feeder, a short fence 28 inches to 34 inches in height can be constructed around the perimeter of the area where food is spread. A fence of this height can keep feral hogs out of the supplemental food while still allowing deer access as they can easily jump a fence of that height. If a manager is specifically concerned about young deer or fawns accessing food, the 28 inch height should be used.
Fences
There are few fences that can be considered truly “hog proof” to a determined pig, but there are some fence building strategies that can help deter hogs from an area. A strong, 6-foot net-wire perimeter fence will deter most feral hogs. The fence should be installed with the bottom touching the ground in all places to avoid allowing feral hogs to crawl under a high spot. Wire can also be buried to form a “curtain,” which can prevent digging under fences by a variety of wild animals and domestic pets. Any gates around the perimeter should be closed when not in use, especially at night.
Electric Fencing
Electric fencing can be a useful tool for excluding feral hogs from an area. However, in order for the fencing to be effective, the charge must be significant enough to make this option in-advisable in an area frequented by humans. A successful electric fence will need to have all vegetation cleared away so that the fence is not accidentally grounded. At least two strand should be used and the lower strand should be placed low enough to hit juvenile and adult pigs on the nose (approximately 8 inches and 18 inches respectively). Managers should note, electric fences may not a permanent solution. If used too frequently within an area or if foraging conditions are poor, the need to find food may cause hogs to be desensitized to the shock.