Hogs love to wallow in the mud. It has also been reported that wild boars avoid places where they can smell other animals such as dogs or wolves. For those of you who plan on stalking hogs in their nests, this is a question you may be asking yourselves. Habitat Groundhogs generally prefer wooded or grassy areas. 12 Effective Ways to Get Rid of Groundhogs for Good That means storing your hunting gear and clothes in ways that minimize the introduction of foreign scent in the field. If you are 100 yards away, a . Hogs are used to encountering the scent of other hogs. Keep this in mind when you are scanning an area with a rifle mounted or hand held green light. With this species causing damage to our crops, agriculture, and forests, this is all the more reason to hunt these animals. The Epsom salt won't do anything harmful to a groundhog, as it's a natural product. Herbs 6. If the groundhog has learned that no big predators are around, they may try to taste vegetables and plants sprayed with the repellent. If you find a suitable wallowing location, it's a natural candidate for some scent. How to get rid of Hedgehog, control methods, catch and repel - Nexles Chain-link fences and those made with heavy-duty steel hog mesh should keep the wild pigs out of your garden, but . Check for burrows around your garden to determine if groundhogs are to blame or some other critter like rabbits or raccoons. Personally, Im not going to gamble on that because Im pretty sure there are some hogs who are lighter sleepers than others and hogs still rely on their sense of smell above all others. If African swine fever were to arrive in North America, feral pigs could be pivotal in spreading this devastating and deadly porcine disease. Like we mentioned before, groundhogs have a keen sense of smell. Once the harvest had begun to grow, wild hogs rooted up his backyard when they have never done so before. Huge feral hogs invading Canada, building 'pigloos' as they go Many farmers choose to use chemicals to keep weeds and pests from destroying their crops and to add more nutrients to the soil. However, hogs will surely awaken to sudden, abrupt noises and will further investigate or make a quick getaway. When mixed with corn, it makes for the perfect wild hog bait attractant to put in your feeder. Hogs will have a harder time even smelling you if you are soaked by the rain. Avoid growing crops that pigs enjoy, such as strawberries and other sweet fruit. location. The groundhogs will see a distorted reflection of themselves in the jar, which could trick them into thinking another animal is in the garden. The nice thing about these types of scent deterrents is that they are probably already in your pantry! They DO NOT deter wildlife. With the wild boar, the facts become even more difficult. If youd like to learn more, you can read in-depth about howgroundhogs and woodchucks are the same here. With one of nature's most sensitive noses, hogs can smell roots, tubers and grubs deep underneath that fine stand of winter wheat or clover and will literally turn the plot upside down to get to the groceries. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. A successful hunt requires you to trick their senses and allow them to carry on as if you werent around. Ultrasound equipment to scare away wild pigs is also available in some markets, if you prefer. Minimize your chances of alerting hogs by choosing a way in that doesn't follow a hog trail. 13 Normal Objects Spooky Horses Are Irrationally Afraid Of - I Heart Horses Start by building fences around your crops, vegetables, and gardens. If you find a suitable wallowing location, it's a natural candidate for some scent. However, we feel that various wild hog hunting equipment such as the Game Alert Hog Hunting Light, which can be attached to the bottom of feeders and provides momentary illumination when a hog is within range, simplifies the process of hog hunting at night and helps you see success. Luckily for me, Vito isnt the biggest pest in my life. Hunt with caution. Lets check out all the scents and smells they dislike so you can start deterring them today! And it does! If you dont prepare properly and remove your scent as best as possible, your hunt could already be over before it starts. It should stand at least 5-feet tall above ground, down to 3-feet deep below. Given their high capacity for reproduction, they have unfortunately become an invasive and harmful exotic species. A single groundhog burrowing under your home usually isnt a problem. 5 Winter Hog Hunting Tips and Tricks - The Truth About Guns This means that if you are aiming to spot and stalk this game you best be careful, as they can hear and see you at decent distance. Even more acutely, however, they have excellent hearing. According to astudydone in New York,coyote urinewas found to be incredibly effective at deterring groundhogs/woodchucks. Wild hogs are native to Europe, Asia and some parts of Africa. On average, groundhogs measure 1 to 2.5 feet long and weigh 7 to 13 pounds, although they can potentially grow to be 24 inches (3 feet) long and weigh as much as 30 pounds when in an area with few predators. What is the best place to shoot a wild hog? The hot sauce and garlic will reinforce the message to STAY AWAY. Food Habits of Feral Hogs - Wildlife Damage Management - Extension The range of how far a hog can smell decreases and water forming puddles blocks smells from underneath the ground. You'll have to decide if the knowledge gained from these preliminary trips into the woods outweighs the chances of disturbing the hogs' routine. Since groundhogs have a strong sense of smell, you can use predator urine, putrescent eggs, garlic, black pepper, onion, mustard, hot sauce, geranium oil, and garlic oil to repel them from your property. You should maintain a degree of awareness of making unnecessary sudden loud noises when hog hunting. The Best Scents To Repel Coyotes and Why They Work. Their sense of smell is so good, pigs can discriminate between mint, spearmint, and peppermint with 100 percent accuracy during academic testing. Spicy Odors. Before we get into the scents and smells that repel groundhogs, lets make sure youre actually dealing with a groundhog. Best Plants to Grow That Groundhogs Don't Eat - The Spruce Using physical deterrents is more effective than scent deterrents, but its also more costly. How to Get Rid of Wild Hogs - Driving Away Wild Boars and Pigs If youre dealing with a groundhog problem, there are a few scents and smells you can use to deter them. Pigs that are seriously ill may reduce water intake or suffer excessive fluid loss e.g. Pour enough beer to where the corn can be easily stirred and let sit for two to three days. The first thing to know about hogs is that their sense of smell is excellent. The rain will wash away the spray pretty easily since all the ingredients are natural. 4. What Smells Do Groundhogs Hate and Keep them Away? Here is 9 - Rodent Facts Heres How. As wild hogs become more and more popular to hunt due to their increasing numbers, many hogs have adapted to hunters behavior and strategies by becoming nocturnal. This site is owned and operated by Pest Pointers LLC | pestpointers.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Or you can also try an electronic cannon such as the one below, that is meant to scare birds, foxes, deer and wild pigs from the area. Even human scents or human related scents left on such things like boot tracks, trail cameras, and ground blinds become washed away in the rain. In this way, we humans are often responsible for altering their habits. Once this product dries, we humans cant really smell it, so no need to worry about a rotten egg scent around your garden! Since wild hogs have big noses and huge nostrils, I have always wondered if they have a good sense of smell. The feral or wild hog (scientific name Sus scrofa) is a mammal belonging to the Suidae family, which also includes pigs. They are also commonly known as European Wild Pigs, Hogs or simply Boars. FERAL/WILD HOG SENSE OF SMELL, SIGHT, AND SOUND. Cuny noted feral hogs have a strong sense of smell and are able to detect odors several feet deep, hence their rooting into the ground for a meal. Of course, if you're hunting from one location, like a treestand, you want scent around the shooting zone. Avoid growing crops that pigs enjoy, such as strawberries and other sweet fruit. Keep this in mind when you are preparing or traversing to and from your hunting area or stand. This site is owned and operated by Hog Hunting For Beginners. Texas A&M suggests that hunters who are trapping wild hogs use traps with 90 degree corners must be covered on top because the pigs tend to pile up in that corner and literally climb over each other and the corner gives enough leverage for them to go over the top.. When its windy, your chances on finding hogs decrease dramatically. Hogs are used to encountering the scent of other hogs. They are capable of sensing odors five miles away and able to detect food sources several feet underground. Now, what does all of this mean? Additionally, garlic essential oil is also effective at repelling groundhogs, as they cant seem to stand the scent of garlic. Often, however, a more hands on, but safe approach is needed. The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. For garlic, onions, mustard, or hot sauce, you can make a spray mixture to apply on and around your plants. Its all about trial and error. Try to avoid spraying directly on vegetables or fruits. Take advantage of scarce food supply periods to target problem hogs. The smell sends a message to the groundhog that big predators might be nearby and sends them scurrying away. Problems only arise when groundhogs begin burrowing near the foundation of your home or if they find their way into your garden. Then, depending on your preparation, brining large cuts can be a great way to mellow out the flavor. However, they have also been introduced into the Americas, Australia and onto several islands. If you wish, you may try planting repellant plants such as fragrant herbs among growing flowers and fruit trees, as these are supposedly plants javelina will not eat and tend to avoid. There are products out there that hunters swear by while others will condemn the same products totally. Similarly, they reduce crop growth by consuming large quantities of seeds, which causes damage to certain crops planted by humans. For this reason, sound equipment with loudspeakers can be quite useful in large areas damaged by the presence of these wild pigs. In contrast, in times of drought only the leading females reproduce. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Its for this reason that youll want to use more than one deterrent to really keep these troublesome pests out of your yard and garden. Skatole may also be detected in gilts, but this is linked with faecal contamination of the skin. Hopefully this will be enough to deter them from your property. Pigs have a remarkable 1113 active genes related to smell. They wont hesitate to burrow under a fence. I basically describe the benefits of hunting hogs in the rain in more detail and how it can end in a successful hunt. Three feet should be enough to deter them. If you see one, it does not indicate there is a whole colony around. If it is shelter, perhaps you can make changes to the shade and cover provided. Pigs affected by these diseases can actually die of salt poisoning. black bear, once you identify your target your chances of succcess are greatly enhanced if you pocess a base understanding of the strengths/weaknesses of your game. Snake predation by feral hogs is most likely insignificant at best. Hogs love to wallow in the mud. So, all those precautions you take regarding scent while deer hunting like playing the wind apply to hogs just the same. Swatting flys or taking a 600lb. Porta potties Anyone with a sense of smell is at least somewhat afraid of porta potties. Although groundhogs do a lot of good for the environment, in certain situations, they can become a nuisance and a pest. These ain't grandpa's hogs running the woods, these are crossed with Russian boar and bad to the bone. Wildlife and Fisheries, 6-7. https://trace.tennessee.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1014&context=utk_agexfish. In 2014, one church outside Houston was so worried about its annual pumpkin sale that it enlisted armed guards to stand watch over the patch at night. How to Keep Wild Pigs Out of a Garden | HomeSteady Hogs normally will not awaken to a foreign scent in their sleeping area if its not overbearing. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. If youre just trying to get a quick hunt in, then you can sprinkle packets of raspberry jello mix around an area to attract them. They left their usual corn at the corn feeder to raid this mans garden. With these 7 facts in the back of your mind, and your HuntWise app to guide you along the way with predictions of the best times to hunt in your area, you are sure to see success afield and harvest a wild hog. Will hogs run deer off? Explained by Sharing Culture Wild hogs seem to have poor eyesight and use their nose to detect food and danger. Florida's feral hogs: a pervasive pest - but a profitable one for some The sweet smell of raspberry jello mix will lure hogs in from all over. Corn will sour once soaked for several days, creating a smell that will attract hogs but keep other animals, such as deer, away. Its important to note that scent deterrents will not be as effective as physical deterrents such as fencing. Heres HowContinue, Your email address will not be published. Using Scents To Kill Wild Hogs - Code Blue Scents Groundhogs are part of the squirrel family and are similar in size and shape to their western cousins, the marmot. As soon as it gets a whiff of a possible big predator like a coyote or fox, its likely to vacate the areaASAP. Keeping dogs and allowing them to urinate in the surroundings could therefore scare these animals away. Astudydone by the University of Nebraska identified geranium oil as an effective scent repellent against groundhogs. Consider all rodenticides sufficiently toxic to cause death to pigs. "Spicy" and "hot" smells can be helpful for deterring squirrels, according to Cindy Glokler of the "Times Union" in Albany N.Y. Squirrels simply don't like them. Sprinkle Talcum Powder in the Garden. However, feral hog populations remained and are spreading throughout the state. Corn will "sour" once soaked for several days, creating a smell that will attract hogs but keep other animals, such as deer, away. Landowners or their agents are allowed to kill feral hogs on their property without a hunting license if feral hogs are causing damage. The more variety of scents you use, the more likely it is to deter a groundhog. Mothballs are 99% pesticide and are dangerous to both humans and wildlife. What Smells Keep Woodchucks Away - 9 Natural Ways 1. You can always see them constantly sniffing around wherever they go, using their noses like metal detectors on a beach looking for treasures. You can mix it all together in a container or put everything into the spray bottle if its big enough. Avoid growing crops that pigs enjoy, such as strawberries and other sweet fruit. To keep wild pigs away, you can also use repellents, such as light or noise sensors, or water sprinklers, that will scare them away. Hogs do not only use their strong sense of smell to smell whats in front of them but below them as well. How to Get Rid of Wild Hogs: Hog Repellent | Nite Guard Rosemary and lavender are on some of the "won't eat" lists, as are basil and mint. Learn how to eliminate natural body odors to stay undetected by whitetail this season. Commercial Wildlife Repellents. Bar Room Banter There are eight species of pig worldwide; none is native to North or South America. This appeals to a groundhogs sense of danger. There are plenty of commercially available products likeI Must Garden Groundhog/Woodchuck Repellent, where the main ingredient is whole eggs. The let their guards down just a tad because even though they smell humans constantly, they know humans arent always necessarily around. He is compact, not long like a deer," Clayton said. Wild hogs eyesight is often misunderstood and misstated in hunting blogs and articles. Smells That Squirrels Do Not Like | Home Guides | SF Gate Pouring scent around bait, or at any location, can put hogs at ease. Uprooted soil from a wild pig feeding, bedding, etc. It is like kryptonite to Super Man. I know I mentioned earlier that hogs can smell further if a scent is carried to them by the wind. They take the same trails every day. (3) rooting - rhizomes, tubers, bulbs, corms, invertebrate larvae, small fossorial vertebrates, etc. Understanding wild hog eyesight will provide some clarity to the myths surrounding tis topic. If youre in need of an exterminator or wildlife professional, you can learn more about our nationwide network of pest control professionals. Make sure to bury it a foot beneath the soil and bend the last three inches out into an L shape for maximum effectiveness. Citrus Peels are Natural Home Remedies to Keep Skunks Away from the House. He has a live sow in his truck bed . This results in more pregnant females and, therefore, more offspring per litter. With that being said, there are similar-sized animals that also burrow, such as skunks and raccoons. Dating as far back as the times of the Roman Empire, domesticated pigs, related to today's wild hogs, were used to hunt for truffles underground. That makes sow estrous a suitable attractant year-round. Using game cameras and some stealthy pre-hunt reconnaissance can help identify the hog trails. Although all groundhogs look about the same, just like we humans, each groundhog has unique preferences. Therefore, without further ado, here are five scents that will drive coyotes into flight: Wolf urine. Unfortunately, the vivid, pleasantly scented blooms tend to draw the . Thus, the negative impact on crop plantations described above is exacerbated by a significant number of these animals and is perpetual. Pustilnik, J. D., Searle, J. The smell of smoke is a good scent masker. There are three different kinds of pesticides; herbicides, insecticides and fungicides. They usually dont cause too much damage or fuss but have the potential to create problems when they burrow or when they find your prized garden. What smells do hogs hate? SMELL Wild hogs possess one of if not the strongest highly developed senses of smell of any animal you will hunt, capable of detecting certain odors in excess of 5 miles away. Ournationwide pest control findercan get you in contact with a wildlife pro for free. Reapply Hog Scram as a preventative to repel Hogs from the area. Practice good sanitation in your orchard, keeping dropped fruit out of . While doing rattlesnake telemetry at the Chapparal Wildlife Management Area, I walked (usually within a few feet and quite often a few inches) up on numerous snakes, hundreds of times. Hogs have a keen sense of smell that may be greater than even that of a whitetail. The biggest problem with groundhogs is when they get into your vegetable gardens or crops. How to Get Rid of Groundhogs (Woodchucks) - RidMyCritters.com Dog or Cat 5. If you decide to use fencing, there are a few things to keep in mind. What smells do pigs hate? For example, black pepper can simply be sprinkled around your garden to deter groundhogs. Hang dry your clothes. (2) foraging on the ground - fruits of woody species, fungi, small animals, vertebrate carrion, etc. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. If you want to read similar articles to How to Get Rid of Wild Hogs, we recommend you visit our Facts about the animal kingdom category. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Finally make sure that you do not live any food close to your garden that the pigs can scavenge.