A Potential Solution to the Feral Hog Problem

It is common knowledge that feral hogs/swine pose a major problem to crop producers in the southern U.S. The feral swine population has exploded in recent years, and there does not appear to be a suitable method to control or even reduce their population.

Now comes a potential solution to the problem. Scientists at the LSU AgCenter and the LSU Dept. of Chemistry have developed a bait that uses sodium nitrite, a chemical compound that is lethal to feral swine. The bait has minimal impact on the environment and non-target animal species. It is undergoing further tests [to include the best delivery system to the feral swine population] that are required by the U.S. EPA before it can be released to the public.

Details about this development can be found in an article titled “LSU Develops Patent-Pending Bait to Fight the ‘Pigdemic’” from the LSU Media Center. Partial funding for the research that resulted in the bait development was provided by the Louisiana Soybean and Grain Research Promotion Board that is responsible for administering soybean checkoff monies collected from soybean producers in Louisiana.

According to information in an Aug. 2023 article by Olivia McClure titled “Patent issued for feral hog bait developed at LSU”, a patent has now been issued for this bait. Hopefully, EPA approval of this new technology and its use to control the feral swine population will soon be forthcoming so that the bait can be manufactured and released for use by crop producers who are adversely affected by this pest.

Composed by Larry G. Heatherly, Aug. 2023, larryh91746@gmail.com