All about the feral swine and how to stop it

Imagine this, you drive all the way to the everglades to see the beautiful trees, just for that area to be ravaged. That is the sad truth of the feral swine. Feral swine, also known as feral hogs, are an invasive species. They were introduced to America a few centuries ago, and have been wreaking havoc ever since. The sickness and environment destruction that affects many people living near and in states all across America because of the feral swine could be solved through traps, snares, or other methods.

Feral swine destroy the environment and spread sickness. The Southwest Florida Water Management District brings up in their article “Feral Hog Hunts Frequently Asked Questions” the fact that these hogs root up soil in their search for food. This uprooting is the very cause for environmental damage. Their hunger ruins many patches of soil around America, damaging roots of trees and other plants. Another point mentioned in “Feral Hog Hunts Frequently Asked Questions” is the transmission of many diseases that the feral swine cause. When they invade ecosystems, all of the animals in the area are at risk of catching the various diseases the hogs hold in their nasty bodies. These diseases put humans at risk, too. Any animal is threatened by their diseases. There is no doubt that in their reign of terror they have transmitted diseases to a large sum of animals.

Feral hogs put humans, animals, and ecosystems at risk. As previously stated, humans and other animals can be affected by the diseases transmitted by feral hogs. Although many may believe that the diseases they carry pose no risk, it is highly likely contact with feral swine will cause the organism touching it to catch a powerful disease. Feral swine may carry a range of diseases, some possibly being lethal. To summarize, it is best not to come into close contact with these hogs. They also ruin plant life, not just animals. The place affected the most by feral hog invasions is the southeastern part of America. This includes states ranging from Texas to Florida. The plants in these states are also ruined as part of the rampage of feral swine. The Southwest Florida Water Management District includes that feral hogs compete for food with local wildlife. Without proper control, feral swine may destroy large areas full of wildlife and plant life.

Although feral swine put a large part of America at risk, the situation may not be hopeless. In the article “FERAL SWINE: Damages, Disease Threats, and Other Risks” it is said that there are a few methods to stop the feral swine, including traps and snares. Another method it suggests is fencing, and it may help more or less depending on the location or situation. In the text, the United States Department of Agriculture shares that in many situations, electric fencing may be a great help. This method has its pros and cons, though. The problem is that feral swine have force on their side, and may slam their heads into the fence, breaking through. It may be hard to find fencing that is strong enough to hold back these forces of nature. As seen in the text “FERAL SWINE: Damages, Disease Threats, and Other Risks”, trapping is another possible solution. With traps, local, state, and government laws on the protection of animals must be followed to ensure a legal trap. If the laws are followed, there is a likely chance a feral swine will fall for a trap. Once the feral swine is caught, it must be humanely killed, otherwise it may escape and take the knowledge of how to escape such trap. There are many methods to stop the feral swine, and it is likely at least one will work for a situation.

In short, the problems caused by feral swine are large, although manageable. Feral swine destroy agriculture and other plant life by uprooting soil. They also spread disease to any animals or humans within their vicinity. They can destroy large areas if not removed. To summarize, feral swine are causing large problems across America, but with enough dedication, they may become a problem of the past.