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7SCWDS, Jay CumbeeSCWDS, Jay Cumbee and Bill HamrickBecause of the diseases they carry, wild pigs pose a real threat to commercial swine operations. Above left: a well-worn wildpig trail leading from a nearby swamp to the feed bins of a commercial swine operation. Above right: a wild pig harvestedat night beneath the feed bins of the same commercial swine facility.AGRICULTURAL DAMAGE. Wild pigs consume and trample crops,and their rooting and wallowing behaviorsfurther damage crop fields. Rooting andwallowing create holes and ruts that, ifunnoticed, can damage farm equipment andpose a hazard to equipment operators. Wild pigs may at times prey on livestock,including newborn lambs, goats, and calves.Livestock predation usually occurs oncalving or lambing grounds where wild pigsmay be attracted by afterbirth and fetaltissue.FOREST DAMAGE. Hardwood mast (for example, acorns andhickory nuts) is a major food source for wildpigs. Consequently, regenerating hardwoodsfrom seed can be difficult in areas with highwild pig populations. In areas where mastor fruit has already germinated, rootingEddie ParhamPig rubbing and scent marking behavior damages treesand leaves them vulnerable to disease and parasites.

8Mississippi State University Extension Service, Bill HamrickMississippi State University Extension Service, Bill HamrickPigs are attracted to longleaf pine seedlings because theroot systems are high in carbohydrates. Pigs chew the rootsto extract the sap and spit out the masticated remains.Wild pigs are fierce competitors with native wildlifespecies for food resources such as hard mast.activities often dislodge and damage youngseedlings. Wild pigs can damage pine plantations andnatural regeneration areas through directconsumption, rooting, and trampling.Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) seedlingsin particular are favored by wild pigsbecause the soft root systems are high incarbohydrates. Wild pigs can damage both pine andhardwood trees by using them as scratchingposts. Intense rubbing and damage to thebark layers can leave trees more vulnerableto harmful insects and pathogens (bacteria,fungi, and viruses).THREATS TO NATIVE WILDLIFE. Wild pigs compete for food and space withnative wildlife species, especially gameanimals such as deer, turkey, and quail. Wild pigs can be significant predators ofeggs and newly hatched young of ground-nesting birds and sea turtles, small mammals,salamanders, frogs, crabs, mussels, andsnakes. Though not considered a significantpredator of white-tailed deer fawns, wildpigs do sometimes kill and eat newborns. Wild pig rooting, wallowing, and tramplingdamage native plant communities that providehabitat and food sources for native wildlifespecies.ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE. Rooting, wallowing, and trampling activitiescompact soils, which in turn disrupts waterinfiltration and nutrient cycling. Also, thesesoil disturbances contribute to the spread ofinvasive plant species, which typically favordisturbed areas and colonize them morequickly than many native plants. Wild pig activity in streams reduces waterquality by increasing turbidity (excessivesilt and particle suspension) and bacterialcontamination. In time, turbidity and added

9Westervelt Ecological Services, John McGuireEddie ParhamWild pigs threaten ecologically sensitive communities suchas the pine flatwoods of the Lower Coastal Plain of thesoutheastern U.S.Wild pig activities in streams and other waterways cangreatly diminish water quality.contaminants affect a variety of nativeaquatic life, most notably fish, freshwatermussels, amphibians, and insect larvae. Insome streams, feces from wild pigs haveincreased fecal coliform concentrations tolevels exceeding human health standards. Destruction of vegetation in freshwaterand brackish marshes not only reducesaquatic life and water quality but also affectsecosystem services, such as water filtration,flood control, and storm surge protection.LEARN TO RECOGNIZE THE SIGNSSometimes landowners do not realize they havepigs on their property until they actually see apig or until the damage is widespread. The earlierthe presence of wild pigs is detected and controlmeasures begun, the better. Some telltale signsthat wild pigs have moved into an area includetracks, rooting, wallows, nests or beds, and treeand post rubs.Mississippi Levee BoardPig rooting along levees, roadsides, and otherthoroughfares can lead to costly infrastructure repair,equipment damage, and public safety concerns.

10Wild pigs leave field signs that are unique and identifiable, making it relatively easy to determinewhether wild pigs inhabit an area.Mississippi State University Extension Service, Bill HamrickMississippi State University Extension Service, Bill HamrickRootingWallowMississippi State University Extension Service, Bill HamrickMississippi State University Extension Service, Bill HamrickWallow and tree rubUtility pole rub

11Mississippi State University Extension Service, Bill HamrickMississippi State University Extension Service, Bill HamrickWild pig nestWild pig trackMississippi State University Extension Service, Bill HamrickMississippi State University Extension Service, Bill HamrickWild piglet trackDeer track

12WILD PIGS AND DISEASEWild pigs are known carriers of at least 45 differentparasites (external and internal) and diseases(bacterial and viral) that pose a threat to livestock,pets, wildlife, and in some cases, human health.The risk of being infected by one of these diseasesis real: in 2007, Florida health officials documentedthat 8 of 10 human cases of swine brucellosis werelinked to wild pig hunting activities. Many of thesediseases are transmitted through contact with bodilyfluids and handling or ingestion of infected tissues.Diseases can also be transmitted indirectly throughticks or contaminated water sources. For moreinformation on wild pig diseases, see page 31.Wild pigs are knowncarriers of at least 45different parasites anddiseases.DISEASE PREVENTIONFollow these simple measures to avoid infectionwhen handling or field dressing wild pigs:Wear latex or nitrile gloves; pathogens can enterthe body through cuts on hands or torn cuticles.Avoid splashing body fluids into your eyes ormouth.Follow correct refrigeration, freezing, andcooking methods. Freezing to 0 F will renderbacteria inactive but will not destroy them;once thawed, bacteria can again becomeactive. You should not rely on home freezingto destroy Trichina and other parasites.Thorough cooking will destroy all parasites.Cook meat until internal juices run clear oruntil it has reached an internal temperatureof 170 F.Wash your hands thoroughly after fielddressing and processing meat, even if youwear gloves.USDA-Wildlife Serv ices, Cal BetsillWearing latex or nitrile gloves will reduce your chances ofpotential disease risks associated with handling wild pigs.clean and disinfect work areas Thoroughlyand tools used to dress and butcher wild pigs.of animal remains, used gloves, and Disposeother materials properly. Animal remainsshould not be left for scavengers, nor shouldthey be fed to dogs. Depending upon yourjurisdiction, several methods of appropriatedisposal may be considered. Check withyour local health department or state wildlifeagency.

13Sherman “Skip” JackProfessor of VeterinaryPathologyMississippi StateUniversity College ofVeterinary MedicineDISEASE IMPACTS OF WILD PIGSDiseases of wild pigs affect humans and otheranimals in several ways. First, there are diseasesthat are transmissible to humans, called zoonoticdiseases. Then there are diseases that might impactlivestock and pets (for example, swine, cattle,and dogs). A third group of diseases are foreignanimal diseases (FADs), those that have neverbeen present in North America or those thatwere present at one time but have been eradicatedduring the last 100 years. (Examples are foot-andmouth disease and hog cholera, or classical swinefever.) While not a direct threat to human health,FADs would have overwhelming economic impactif introduced—or reintroduced—and perhapsnever again could be eradicated from our continentbecause of the continued expansion of wild pigranges.Foreign Animal Diseases & PseudorabiesForeign animal diseases include a number ofconditions that have never been identified in NorthAmerica or have been eradicated during the pastcentury. Some of these diseases affect only swine(for example, hog cholera, or classical swine fever,and African swine fever), but others affect multiplespecies such as foot-and-mouth disease, which canaffect cloven-hooved animals like cattle, deer, andelk. Both hog cholera and foot-and-mouth diseasewere eradicated from the United States duringthe previous century (hog cholera during the1970s, foot-and-mouth disease in the early 1900s).However, eradication occurred before wild pigswere found in most of the lower 48 states, and eventhen the cost was in the billions of dollars. Thus,reintroduction of those diseases today would havea greater host population in which to spread andwould be much more costly, if not impossible, toeradicate again.Pseudorabies virus (PRV), while not foreign,is another disease with implications for nonswineanimals such as cattle, sheep, and dogs. This diseaseis a herpes virus and is not related to rabies. Somesymptoms of the disease may resemble rabies, thusthe term pseudorabies. It sometimes kills pigs butis routinely fatal in nonswine species that becomeinfected either through direct contact or ingestionof tissues from PRV-positive wild pigs. Pseudorabiesis a reportable disease and may restrict transportinganimals (even uninfected ones) across state lines.Thus the economic impact may extend well beyondaffected animals or affected premises. See page 31for more information on common diseases amongwild pigs.Bacteria (Staphylococcus)Virus (Swine influenza)Wild pigs are known carriers of bacterial and viraldiseases that are a threat to livestock, wildlife, pets,and, in some cases, human health.

14MANAGEMENTWild pig populations can be managed by lethal ornonlethal methods. Nonlethal methods includeinstalling fencing to exclude pigs, using guardanimals to protect livestock, and vaccinatinganimals to prevent disease spread. Although insome situations nonlethal methods are appropriateand effective, in many cases they are not a goodoption, either because they do not work well orare too expensive. Therefore, lethal methods areoften the most practical and widely used. Theyinclude trapping, shooting, and hunting withdogs. Currently, there are no toxicants registeredfor use on wild pigs in the United States, sopoisoning is not an option.Hunting and trapping regulations vary bystate. Be sure to check the hunting and trappingregulations specific to your area or contact yourlocal conservation officer before beginning anywild pig trapping and removal program in an area.TRAPPING WILD PIGSTrapping is the most efficient means for removingwild pigs because it is a continuous activityrequiring far less time and effort than othermethods such as hunting. Successful pig trappinghinges upon several key components:locating high-use areas for potential trap sitesand attracting pigs to these locationsconditioning pigs to the trap enclosureeffective trap design and sizepatience Currently, there are notoxicants registered foruse on wild pigs in theUnited States.Alabama DCNR, Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division, Chris JaworowskiWild pigs do notacknowledge boundariesand land lines. Therefore, acooperative trapping effortwith adjoining landownerswill prove more successfulthan conducting a trappingprogram on your own.

15Scouting the Trap LocationOnce you discover wild pigs have moved ontoyour property, do not immediately build a trap andset it to catch. Instead, first scout the propertyand identify their travel routes and any other areasof recent activity—bedding and loafing areas, mudwallows—and establish nearby bait sites to attractpigs from the surrounding area. Depending on thesize of your property and the distance betweenareas with recent pig activity, you may want toestablish several of these bait sites. A good rule ofthumb is to establish a bait site every 100 to 200acres across a property. Here are several factorsto consider when choosing a bait site:Level ground with enough open to semiopen area to allow for building a four- tosix-panel corral trap if pigs should beginusing the site.Shade (full or partial); during warmmonths, a captured pig in the shade isless stressed and less likely to heavilydamage a trap trying to escape.Vehicle access close to the site saves timeand labor in constructing, baiting, andchecking the trap, and also in removing pigcarcasses from the trap. It is usually best to begin baiting wild pigswith whole-kernel dried, shelled corn. It is readilyavailable at local feed and seed stores, is easy towork with (there is no excessive odor or messas with fermented corn), and, more often thannot, it does a good job of attracting wild pigs. Ifit becomes clear that pigs are visiting your baitsite but not readily consuming the dry corn,experiment with fermented corn or other types ofbait and/or attractants.There are several different methods you canuse to bait your scouting sites. The simplest ofthese is to scatter 1-2 gallons of corn on theground in an area 8-10 feet in diameter. Whilethis is a “tried and true” method for baiting wildpigs, there are a couple of downsides: (1) Baiton the ground for longer periods of time is moresusceptible to becoming toxic (aflatoxins) and/or being consumed by nontarget species such asdeer, turkey, and raccoons; and (2) You have tocheck the sites daily in case the corn needs to bereplenished.The “bait bucket” is another method that issometimes used for baiting wild pigs. A bait bucketis simply a 5-gallon plastic bucket half filled withcorn and covered in water and tied or strapped tothe base of a tree. While this method will greatlyreduce the amount of bait consumed by nontargetspecies, you either need access to a nearby watersource or you will have to transport water to thesite. Bait buckets can be checked every few daysto determine if pigs are using them.The most convenient method for baiting wildpigs is to set up an automatic spin-cast feederat each site, programmed to dispense corn at aregular time each day. In doing so, you can reduceyour site visits

Schley, L. & Roper, T. J. (2003) Diet of Wild Boar Sus scrofa in Western Europe, with particular reference to co