Wild pigs are now one of the most destructive invasive mammals in North America. Found in at least 38 states, their population is estimated at 5-6 million animals. The economic consequences are severe. Roughly $1.5 billion a year in combined damage and control costs, with more than $800 million hitting agriculture directly (USDA). Control costs refers to the cost of managing, reducing, and preventing feral pig populations and their damage.
The reason North America has such a severe pig problem is simple: feral pigs reproduce faster than any other large mammal on the continent. USDA Wildlife Services, a leading authority on feral swine biology, reports that females begin breeding at 6–8 months and produce 4–6 piglets per litter, often twice per year. That’s 8–12 piglets annually, with a roughly 50/50 male-to-female ratio. This rapid reproductive cycle is the primary force driving today’s invasion pressure.
Where they came from
Today’s wild pigs are a mix of escaped domestic swine, Eurasian wild boar, and hybrids. Europeans released pigs in the 1500s because they needed a low-maintenance, fast-breeding “walking food supply” for expeditions and early settlements. Centuries of escape, free-ranging practices, and intentional transport helped populations take hold. Their broad diet and ability to thrive in wetlands, forests, grasslands, and farmlands make them exceptionally hard to contain.
Ecological and agricultural impacts
Rooting and wallowing disrupt soils, accelerate erosion, and reduce native vegetation’s ability to recover (USFS). These disturbances open the door for invasive plants and reduce food and habitat for native wildlife.
Agricultural losses are significant:
• About $800 million in crop and livestock damage annually (USDA).
• An additional $40 million each year from disease transmission and predation impacts, based on producers surveyed across 13 states (APHIS).
• Texas alone has reported damage and control costs approaching $871 million in one analysis (Texas Farm Bureau).
Feral pigs also carry more than 30 bacterial and viral pathogens and multiple parasites. Foot-and-mouth disease remains a top concern due to its potential to devastate livestock herds.. Wallowing and runoff can contaminate streams and wetlands used by wildlife, pets, and people.
Why control is difficult – REWORK
These animals reproduce quickly, move easily across landscapes, and avoid pressure. But coordinated control has proven to work. The USDA/NRCS results come from the Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program, a coordinated effort where federal agencies and landowners jointly trapped, removed, and monitored pigs across selected pilot landscapes:
• A 70 percent population reduction within two years, and
• A 99 percent reduction in rooting damage on treated properties (NRCS).
Producers also reported roughly a 40 percent drop in agricultural losses once sustained control was in place.
The key is scale. Removal must continue year after year, and neighboring landowners must work in step. USDA’s National Wildlife Research Center is developing integrated tools, from trapping systems to aerial removal and better detection technologies.
Takeaway
This invasive species is costing the U.S. $1.5 billion a year, degrading habitats, and pushing diseases into livestock and wildlife. The data is clear, coordinated control programs can dramatically cut damage.