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Feral Pig Control Victoria
Feral pigs (Sus scrofa) are one of Australia's most destructive invasive pest species, causing significant environmental damage, agricultural losses and threats to native ecosystems.
Found across approximately 45% of mainland Australia, primarily throughout northern and eastern regions, feral pig populations can rapidly increase under favourable conditions, creating ongoing challenges for land managers, farmers, conservation groups and government agencies.
Feral pigs in Australia are descendants of domestic pigs (Sus scrofa) introduced by the First Fleet in 1788 as a source of livestock. Over time, escaped and deliberately released pigs established widespread wild populations, adapting successfully to a range of Australian environments including wetlands, forests, agricultural areas and rangelands.
Today, feral pigs cause extensive damage through crop destruction, pasture degradation, soil disturbance, waterway contamination and predation on native wildlife. They compete with native species for food and habitat, damage sensitive ecosystems, spread weeds, and act as hosts for diseases that can impact livestock, wildlife and agricultural industries.
Effective feral pig control and management is essential to protect agricultural productivity, biodiversity, waterways and natural landscapes. CVPM delivers professional feral pig management services using integrated pest management strategies tailored to each site, helping reduce environmental impacts, protect valuable assets and achieve long-term sustainable land management outcomes.
Control Methods
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Ground shooting using shotguns
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Cage Trapping
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Baiting programs
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Ground shooting using Centrefire rifles Thermal / Nightvision
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Economic & Enviromental impacts
Economic impacts
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The economic impact of feral pigs on Australian agriculture is substantial. While precise, up-to-date national figures can vary, a widely cited estimate suggests they cause over $100 million in direct economic costs to the agricultural sector each year. Some recent regional studies indicate even higher localized costs.
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Feral pigs are significant predators of newborn livestock, particularly lambs and goats. Studies have estimated lamb losses in semi-arid rangelands due to pig predation ranging from 18.7% to 32%. They can also prey on calves.
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Pigs damage and consume a wide range of crops, including grain, sugarcane, fruit, and vegetables, leading to significant yield losses. For example, they are estimated to cause losses of 20,000 tonnes of sugarcane annually.
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Feral pigs cause damage to farm infrastructure such as fences (by pushing through or digging under them) and irrigation systems.
Enviromental impacts
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Feral pigs cause damage to farm infrastructure such as fences (by pushing through or digging under them) and irrigation systems.
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They foul dams, waterholes, and other water sources through wallowing and defecation, reducing water quality for livestock and human use
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Their rooting and trampling behaviour damages pastures, reducing their productivity for grazing livestock and competing with stock for feed.
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This is a major and potentially catastrophic economic threat. Feral pigs are hosts and vectors for numerous endemic and exotic diseases and parasites that can affect domestic livestock and, in some cases, humans.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pig Control Victoria
What is the most effective Feral Pig control method in Victoria? The most effective feral pig control programs in Victoria combine baiting, trapping, and targeted ground shooting. Baiting helps reduce larger populations, trapping can remove multiple pigs from active areas, and ground shooting is effective for targeting individual animals and surviving pigs. Using a combination of these methods provides the best long-term results for protecting crops, pastures, waterways, and native ecosystems. Read more
Why is Feral Pig control important for Victorian farms and Crown land? Feral pig control is important because feral pigs can cause extensive damage to crops, pastures, fences, waterways, and native vegetation. Their rooting and digging behaviour damages agricultural land, increases soil erosion, contaminates water sources, and destroys wildlife habitat. On Crown land, feral pigs can significantly impact sensitive ecosystems and native species. Effective feral pig management helps protect farm productivity, biodiversity, and the long-term health of Victoria's natural environments. Read more
Do you provide Feral Pig control services in Victoria? Yes. Complete Vertebrate Pest Management provides professional feral pig control services throughout Victoria. We offer integrated feral pig management programs using baiting, trapping, targeted ground shooting, and trail camera monitoring to reduce feral pig populations and minimise damage to crops, pastures, waterways, fencing, and native vegetation. Our services are tailored to farms, rural properties, Crown land, and land management projects across Victoria. Read more
What effect can Feral Pigs have on the environment? Feral pigs can have a major impact on Victoria's environment by destroying native vegetation, damaging wetlands, causing soil erosion, and contaminating waterways. Their rooting and digging behaviour disturbs habitats, reduces biodiversity, and can destroy nesting sites used by native wildlife. Feral pigs also prey on native animals, reptiles, ground-nesting birds, and their eggs, while spreading weeds and diseases throughout the landscape. Effective feral pig control helps protect native ecosystems, water quality, and biodiversity across farms and Crown land. Read more
What area's do you provide Feral Pig management? Complete Vertebrate Pest Management provides professional feral pig management services throughout Victoria, including Gippsland, East Gippsland, North East Victoria, the High Country, Hume Region, Central Highlands, Wimmera, Mallee, Loddon Mallee, and surrounding rural and agricultural areas. We work with farmers, landholders, government agencies, and land managers to deliver effective feral pig control programs on farms, Crown land, forests, and conservation areas across the state. Contact us to discuss feral pig management services in your area. Read more
