October 26, 2023
Wild hogs are a major problem on Texas ranches. They cause millions of dollars in damage to crops and livestock each year, and they can also pose a threat to human health and safety.
Wild hogs are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals. This makes them a particularly destructive pest for ranchers, as they will eat anything from crops and livestock feed to native vegetation and wildlife. Wild hogs are also known to prey on livestock, such as sheep, goats, and calves. This can lead to significant financial losses for ranchers, as well as increased stress and workload.
In addition to the damage they cause to crops and livestock, wild hogs can also pose a threat to human health and safety. Wild hogs can carry a number of diseases that can be transmitted to humans, such as brucellosis, leptospirosis, and pseudorabies. Wild hogs can also be aggressive, and they have been known to attack humans and livestock.
For all of these reasons, wild hogs are a major problem for Texas ranchers. Ranchers have to spend a lot of time and money trying to control wild hog populations on their property. However, there are a number of things that ranchers can do to reduce the damage caused by wild hogs, such as installing hog-proof fencing.
Choosing the Right Type of Fencing
The best type of hog-proof fencing for your needs will depend on a number of factors, including the type of livestock you raise, the region of Texas you live in, your budget, and your aesthetic preferences. However, some of the most popular types of hog-proof fencing in Texas include:
- High-tensile woven wire mesh: High-tensile woven wire mesh is a very durable and effective fencing option for keeping wild hogs out. It is made of thick, strong wires that are tightly woven together, making it difficult for hogs to break through. High-tensile woven wire mesh is also relatively inexpensive and easy to install.
- Hog wire: Hog wire is another good option for keeping wild hogs out. It is made of heavier-gauge wire than woven wire mesh, and it has smaller holes, making it more difficult for hogs to squeeze through. Hog wire is also more expensive than woven wire mesh, but it is still a relatively affordable option.
- Electric fencing: Electric fencing can be used in conjunction with woven wire mesh or hog wire fencing to create a more effective barrier against wild hogs. When hogs come into contact with the electric fence, they receive a shock, which deters them from crossing the fence again. Electric fencing is more expensive than woven wire mesh or hog wire fencing, but it can be a very effective way to keep wild hogs out.
High-Tensile Woven Wire Mesh
High-tensile woven wire mesh keeps hogs off your ranch property in several ways:
- Strength: High-tensile woven wire mesh is made of thick, strong wires that are tightly woven together. This makes it very difficult for hogs to break through.
- Flexibility: High-tensile woven wire mesh is flexible enough to conform to the terrain, which makes it difficult for hogs to dig under it.
- Durability: High-tensile woven wire mesh is very durable and can withstand the elements, as well as the wear and tear of hogs.
- Height: High-tensile woven wire mesh is typically at least 48 inches tall, which is too high for most hogs to climb over.
In addition to these factors, high-tensile woven wire mesh can also be used to create a more effective barrier against hogs by using electric fencing. When hogs come into contact with the electric fence, they receive a shock, which deters them from crossing the fence again.
To ensure that high-tensile woven wire mesh is effective at keeping hogs off ranch property, it is important to install it properly. The fence should be buried at least 6 inches underground to prevent hogs from digging under it. And the fence should be inspected and repaired regularly to ensure that it is in good condition.
Hog Wire
Hog wire is a type of woven wire mesh that is made of heavy-gauge wire and has small holes, making it difficult for wild hogs to squeeze through. Hog wire is typically at least 48 inches tall, which is too high for most hogs to climb over.
Here are some of the ways that hog wire can keep wild hogs off your ranch property:
- Strength: Hog wire is made of thick, strong wires that are difficult for hogs to break through.
- Durability: Hog wire is very durable and can withstand the elements, as well as the wear and tear of hogs.
- Height: Hog wire is typically at least 48 inches tall, which is too high for most hogs to climb over.
- Small holes: Hog wire has small holes, making it difficult for hogs to squeeze through.
To ensure that hog wire is effective at keeping wild hogs off ranch property, it is important to install it properly. The fence should be buried at least 6 inches underground to prevent hogs from digging under it. And the fence should be inspected and repaired regularly to ensure that it is in good condition.
Electric Fencing
Electric fencing works by delivering a mild electric shock to animals that come into contact with it. This shock is enough to deter most animals from crossing the fence, but it is not harmful.
Electric fencing is a very effective way to keep wild hogs off your property. Wild hogs are intelligent animals, and they learn quickly that electric fences are painful. Once they have been shocked once, they are unlikely to cross the fence again.
To be effective, electric fences must be properly installed and maintained. The fence should be at least 48 inches tall to prevent hogs from climbing over it. The fence should also be buried at least 6 inches underground to prevent hogs from digging under it.
In addition, the electric fence must be properly charged. The charger should be powerful enough to deliver a shock that is strong enough to deter hogs, but not strong enough to harm them.
Here are some additional tips for installing and maintaining an electric fence:
- Use high-quality fence posts and strainers.
- Make sure that the fence is taut and well-tensioned.
- Trim any vegetation that could touch the fence.
- Inspect the fence regularly for signs of damage.
- Test the charger regularly to make sure that it is working properly.
If you are having problems with wild hogs on your property, electric fencing is a very effective way to keep them out. Electric fences are relatively inexpensive to install and maintain, and they are very effective at deterring wild hogs.
It is important to note that electric fencing is not a cure-all for wild hog problems. If you have a large population of wild hogs on your property, you may need to use other control methods in conjunction with electric fencing, such as removing food sources and using traps.
How We Can Help
If you're serious about keeping wild hogs off of your property, you need to hire a qualified fencing contractor, like Fred Nuncio Fencing and Construction, to install a hog-proof fence for you. We know how to choose the right type of fence for your needs and install it properly so that it's effective at keeping hogs out.
The Quality You Expect
Over 45 of combined years of fencing experience sets us apart from the competition.