Wild pig population in Houston, Texas continues to grow despite eradication efforts

Wild pigs are like fire ants: you can never get rid of them. This is a message from a local county official who advises landowners on dealing with an invasion.

“This is one of the major challenges we face, and one of the major challenges Texas landowners face, no doubt,” said Jamie Sugg, Texas A&M Agrilife agricultural extension agent in Walker County. Sugg works as a consultant for people who have problems related to agriculture.

Sugg says that rural communities are in constant struggle with feral pigs.

“It’s not about whether you have a problem with pigs, but when. They are everywhere.”

Sugg says that despite the government’s best efforts to reduce the feral pig population, the population continues to grow; and they are expanding across the state. Homeowners who encounter pigs often turn to his office for advice on how to deal with them.

“Basically, what we recommend is a comprehensive approach. You are not going to shoot them all and you are not going to catch them all. You should hit them with one or two blows.”

Pig trapping has proven to be the most effective way to eliminate the infestation. Edward Dickey is a hunter at Texas Wild Hog Control. He says that during the cooler months, homeowners often encounter pigs for the first time.

“The pigs keep us pretty busy,” Dickey said.

He says homeowners often only call his company after the pigs have repeatedly damaged their property. Pigs enter areas using stream beds and flood channels. Once in the neighborhood, they often find well-manicured yards to cheer for a meal.

“Many people water their yards. Pigs are attracted to water and soft mud. These well-maintained yards are home to beetles, amphibians and small reptiles.” Pigs dig through the grass and cause massive damage in search of food.

Keeping the pigs away proved to be no easy task. Barking dogs and loud noises scare them away, but eventually they overcome this fear. Dickey recommends installing cameras to monitor any presence of pigs so they can be dealt with before they cause too much damage.