Our region's feral pig population has threatened farms, ranches, orchards, conservationists, and water district officials. California officials have been faced with difficult decisions regarding hunting regulations and plans for eliminating wild pigs' food sources; unintended consequences cannot be predicted. No animal has been more notorious as an enemy of natural Northern California ecosystems and agribusiness than feral hogs.
Feral pigs are highly destructive to the natural terrain. They act like natural tillers, constantly digging up insects, larvae, acorns, nuts, rodents, and a wide variety of roots. In addition to the ecological and crop damage they cause, their feces are known to spread pathogens that cause dozens of infectious diseases. Many of the illnesses they transmit affect humans, including toxoplasmosis and tularemia. In 2006, the swine was suspected of contaminating California spinach, which resulted in an E. Coli outbreak.
Wild pigs directly threaten livestock, working animals, and even humans. A pack of feral hogs attacked a Texas healthcare worker in 2019 while walking from her car across a client's yard. They have also been known to kill newborn deer, calves, and lambs.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates there are around 6 million feral hogs across the nation, with hundreds of thousands active and spreading in California. Every county in California except San Francisco and Alpine has active wild hog populations. In 2020-21, boar hunters took out 3,950 out of an estimated 400,000. USDA officials estimate feral pigs now cause between $1.5 billion and $2.5 billion in damage to agricultural property nationwide per year.
California's feral hogs are not native to the Golden State. Many of the current population are descended from Spanish missionaries and wild boars introduced near Carmel-by-the-Sea in the 1920s. Some biologists have called the hybrid species roaming California's hills "super pigs." They are highly intelligent and are prolific breeders of up to four litters per year.
Without local predators, our ecosystem has little in the way of natural defense against feral hog invasion. Even coyotes and mountain lions are unlikely to attack adult pigs. In addition, mother sows are very aggressive in protecting their piglets.
If you choose our team to deal with feral pig issues on your property, we thoroughly examine your location, look for evidence of an infestation, and provide you with the best options for the most effective methods for elimination and exclusion.
A new California law expands some methods of wild hog hunting and control. We can recommend the right combination of fencing, lighting, and other professional methods for getting rid of pigs and keeping them away.
Gold Country Wildlife Control is the leading nuisance wildlife control and exclusion company serving the Northern California foothills and Western Nevada. Our team of experts centered in Grass Valley considers the farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers we serve as part of our family. We place total customer satisfaction as our top priority. Contact us today with questions about feral hog control and a to schedule an estimate for your property's needs.
