Texas weighs using bacon preservative to poison feral hogs

As in Texas, wild hogs are a big problem south of the border. This is how Mexico is taking care of the problem. As in Texas, wild hogs are a big problem south of the border. This is how Mexico is taking care of the problem. Photo: BOB OWEN, SAEN Photo: BOB OWEN, SAEN Image 1 of / 17 Caption Close Texas weighs using bacon preservative to poison feral hogs 1 / 17 Back to Gallery

SAN ANTONIO - A food preservative used in bacon may be the next option used by Texas in order to combat the state's massive feral hog problem.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is beginning to test the use of sodium nitrate in order to control the estimated 2 million feral hogs within Texas, according to a report by The Associated Press.

Sodium nitrate is not deadly to humans, but pigs cannot make enough of an enzyme needed to counteract the chemical. The AP said unlike people and tested domestic animals, pigs make very low levels of an enzyme that counteracts the chemical.

If they eat enough sodium nitrate at once, the swine will show symptoms similar to carbon dioxide poisoning. They become uncoordinated, lose conciousness, and die, according to the AP.

Bryan Black, director of communications for the Texas Department of Agriculture, said that the state is looking into the use of sodium nitrate, and it could be used in the very near future.

"The Texas Department of Agriculture has been working with Texas Parks and Wildlife to develop new means of cost-effective feral hog control," Black said in an e-mail. "Sodium nitrate is one the toxicants tested and is showing some promise."

Black said that field trials for sodium nitrate could be used in field trials in Texas later this year, and that the state is committed to finding a solution to this costly problem.

"With more than two million feral hogs causing millions of dollars in urban and rural property damage across the Lone Star State each year, it is critical we find solutions to controlling this major pest," Black said.

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Twitter: @JosephCook89