Feral Pigs (house, landscaping, DMV)

[Luau Time]

We have built a home on an acre-lot in Kea’au. We fenced the side and back of the house to keep feral pigs from devouring our plants and yard. However, they have eaten our ti-leaf plants in the front of our home.

I would like to have a corner of our front yard landscaped with tropical foliage such as haupu ferns, torch gingers, birds of paradise, anthuriums, hostas, crotons, etc.

Are there plants that I can include that repel pigs to keep them out of the landscaping? Research states they don’t like the smell of mint. Would that be enough if we were to plant mint in with the tropical foliage? Any advice? We really don’t want to fence-in the front yard.

Mahalo.

[respect4pele]

I would try grizzly bear spray. It won't hurt them, but it will be a bad experience for them that they will remember.

[Luau Time]

Originally Posted by respect4pele

I would try grizzly bear spray. It won't hurt them, but it will be a bad experience for them that they will remember.

I gather I would have to check to see if it can be shipped here to Hawaii, since we don’t have bears here. I’ll check it out.

Mahalo.

[Grassyknoll]

Pigs are a constant problem in the wetter areas. I know a few coffee farmers that have trapped and eliminated a hundred or so pigs in a year, and yet not put a dent in the population.
Maybe talk to some commercial nurseries in your area? Not only would they have to deal with pigs too, but they might have the plants/knowledge to repel them.
Best of luck.

[Futuremauian]

Originally Posted by Luau Time

I gather I would have to check to see if it can be shipped here to Hawaii, since we don’t have bears here. I’ll check it out.

Mahalo.

I don't believe you can have it shipped here. Mace/pepper spray is not permitted and bear spray is an enhanced version.

It is said that human attackers can be stopped by aerosol wasp spray. It shoots about 10-15 feet and might be worth a try. Available at any hardware store. (Also far cheaper.)

[whtviper1]

Originally Posted by Luau Time

Are there plants that I can include that repel pigs to keep them out of the landscaping? Research states they don’t like the smell of mint. Would that be enough if we were to plant mint in with the tropical foliage? Any advice? We really don’t want to fence-in the front yard.

Wasp and Bear spray don't really help you when pigs come when you are sleeping. Besides, just your physical presence would likely scare them off anyway before you spray them.

Pigs sense of smell is much greater than that of even dogs - so they will avoid the things they don't like and focus on what they do like. So, no the mint likely won't help you.

A fence is your best bet - better if electric - pigs don't like plastic mesh (they won't step on stuff that gets them tangled - you can try a motion sprinkler but a decent chance they will figure that out - or a scarecrow you move around. You can try to ultimately trap them - but that will likely be a never ending exercise.

[Arktikos]

Originally Posted by Luau Time

We have built a home on an acre-lot in Kea’au. We fenced the side and back of the house to keep feral pigs from devouring our plants and yard. However, they have eaten our ti-leaf plants in the front of our home.

I would like to have a corner of our front yard landscaped with tropical foliage such as haupu ferns, torch gingers, birds of paradise, anthuriums, hostas, crotons, etc.

Are there plants that I can include that repel pigs to keep them out of the landscaping? Research states they don’t like the smell of mint. Would that be enough if we were to plant mint in with the tropical foliage? Any advice? We really don’t want to fence-in the front yard.

Mahalo.

They won't bother your landscaping, except for hapu'u. Very surprising to hear they're eaten Ti plants, as I've never seen that during 30 years in the area.

They definitely won't be repelled by anything you could plant if they really want in.

Your current fence may slow them down a bit, but nothing is safe from their desires unless the entire place is securely fenced in.

[Luau Time]

Originally Posted by Grassyknoll

Pigs are a constant problem in the wetter areas. I know a few coffee farmers that have trapped and eliminated a hundred or so pigs in a year, and yet not put a dent in the population.
Maybe talk to some commercial nurseries in your area? Not only would they have to deal with pigs too, but they might have the plants/knowledge to repel them.
Best of luck.

Good idea.

Mahalo.

[Luau Time]

Originally Posted by Futuremauian

I don't believe you can have it shipped here. Mace/pepper spray is not permitted and bear spray is an enhanced version.

It is said that human attackers can be stopped by aerosol wasp spray. It shoots about 10-15 feet and might be worth a try. Available at any hardware store. (Also far cheaper.)

The pigs come around at night while we’re asleep. I don’t want to inflict pain or harm them. I just want to keep them away naturally.

So frustrating.

[Luau Time]

Originally Posted by whtviper1

Wasp and Bear spray don't really help you when pigs come when you are sleeping. Besides, just your physical presence would likely scare them off anyway before you spray them.

Pigs sense of smell is much greater than that of even dogs - so they will avoid the things they don't like and focus on what they do like. So, no the mint likely won't help you.

A fence is your best bet - better if electric - pigs don't like plastic mesh (they won't step on stuff that gets them tangled - you can try a motion sprinkler but a decent chance they will figure that out - or a scarecrow you move around. You can try to ultimately trap them - but that will likely be a never ending exercise.

The scarecrow and motion sprinkler make me wonder about a motion detector in the tropical foliage that triggers barking dogs, but not loud enough to wake our future neighbors.