Feral pig populations can be both stationary and transient. Weather conditions and food availability affect the movement of feral pigs throughout a landscape. Feral pigs home range is determined by habitat type, food supply, size of individual animals and population density. In many habitats there is a seasonal trend of movement between specific areas depending on the current food supply. Even if disturbed, feral pigs will not move far and will readily return to their home ranges.
As a landholder, controlling feral pigs on your property is your responsibility.
Impact of feral pigs
Feral pigs cause damage to crop, pastures, Dams, fencing and can cause significant economic losses to agricultural production through predation of livestock, disease introduction and environmental damage.
Feral pigs create significant soil disturbance, altering drainage, increasing turbidity and sedimentation and greatly assisting the spread of weeds.
Feral pigs can also carry disease and parasites that affect stock and pose a disease risk to humans (eg brucellosis). They are a major potential host of several exotic diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease.
Create a feral pig management plan
Effective control of local feral pig populations can be achieved, although it may take weeks to a few months. These efforts will need to be followed up when populations re-establish the area. A broad landscape approach can achieve long term gains and bring feral pig numbers down to manageable levels.
Start by identifying and mapping the location of feral pigs and the extent of their impact on your property. Discuss with your neighbours your concerns and gauge feral pig impacts they are experiencing.
Things to look for include:
- sightings
- predation of lambs
- rooting (digging of soil for underground food such as roots and bulbs)
- crop and fence damage
- pads (a feral pig game trail)
- tracks and scats
- wallows (indentations in waterbodies)
- mud rubs and tusk marks on vegetation and infrastructure
- nests.
