Commentary
Feral hog control is an issue for ALL animal health pros. Wild pigs reproduce rapidly and cause damage to farms and suburban properties from the southern U.S. and into Canada <Link>. They also pose a growing threat to the environment, people and other animals. If an animal disease like African swine fever or hoof-and-mouth gets into these animals, it will be almost impossible to stop.
Louisiana State University Extension researchers have come up with a patent-pending recipe for a bait that wild pigs love to eat and makes them fall asleep. It’s chewy and golf-ball-sized. Ironically, the key ingredient is the same as for bacon—pink curing salt, or sodium nitrite.
Source: National Hog Farmer, March 24, 2023. Link.
INSIGHTS: Two additional articles explain more about pig baiting and feral hog control.
- LSU develops patent-pending bait to fight the ‘pigdemic’, Swineweb, March 27, 2023. Link.
LSU has come up with a unique and novel approach to reduce non-target exposure using the cameras and remote triggers. The only issue with the setup is that you might have to wake up at 3 a.m. to release baits and don’t always have a cell phone signal.” – Jim LaCour, DVM
- Feral pig baits showing promise, LSU Ag Center, April 9, 2021. Link.
Also see: Survey provides broader understanding of feral hog damage, National Hog Farmer, February 28, 2023. Link.