Feral pigs can undo a season's work in a night. Xterminator Feral Solutions provides coordinated, silent, poison-free feral pig control for farms and rural properties across the Southern Tablelands, Southern Highlands and South Coast of NSW. That includes Yass, Murrumbateman, Braidwood, Bungendore, Berry, the Shoalhaven and the Eurobodalla hinterland.
We find how the pigs are getting in, train them to a feeding pattern with non-toxic bait, watch them on camera, then remove them quietly at night from a CFMOTO electric ATV with suppressed rifles. You get a written report after every visit. Call 1800 337 257 (1800 FERALS) or request a free quote.
Why feral pigs are a serious problem in southern NSW
Feral pigs are one of Australia's most damaging invasive pests. The National Feral Pig Action Plan estimates they inhabit around 45 per cent of Australia's land mass and cost agriculture at least $100 million a year in damage.
They root up and trample crops and pasture, prey on newborn lambs, foul water, smash fencing, degrade wetlands and spread weeds and disease. That includes leptospirosis and, in a worst case, exotic threats such as foot-and-mouth disease and African swine fever.
They also breed fast. Sows can start breeding once they reach about 25 kg, which can be at around six months of age, and in good conditions can wean two litters of 4–10 piglets every 12 to 15 months. In ideal conditions a population can grow by up to 86 per cent in a year.
Locally, pigs work creek lines and swampy corners on the Southern Tablelands, and wetter country on the South Coast after rain.
Why one-off shooting makes things worse
The NSW Government warns that feral pigs are easily frightened. Disturbed pigs leave a site and move into new areas, where they cause more damage. A noisy night with spotlights might remove one or two, but the rest of the group learns to avoid you, and numbers bounce back.
Your responsibilities as a NSW landholder
Under the NSW Biosecurity Act 2015, everyone has a General Biosecurity Duty. If you own, occupy or manage land and you know, or ought reasonably to know, about a biosecurity risk, you must prevent, eliminate or minimise it so far as is reasonably practicable. Feral pigs are one of the pest animals that duty covers, and it's illegal in NSW to keep, move or release a feral pig.
Local Land Services (LLS) runs the Feral Pig and Pest Program on behalf of the NSW Government. Depending on eligibility, it offers free advice, group programs, training and equipment loans, including traps (1300 795 299). We work directly for landholders, not on behalf of any agency.
If you ever see pigs that look sick, or anything unusual, call the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888.
How we control feral pigs
Drone reconnaissance of creek lines, gullies and fence lines
A drone checks paddocks, gullies, dams, creek lines and fence lines for pig rooting and damage, and the tracks and pads pigs use. We can then plan exactly where cameras, traps and night operations will do the most good.
Finding the entry points
We identify the entry points pigs use to get onto a property and focus our effort there.
Trail cameras: how many, and when
Our motion cameras show us when pigs are visiting, how many there are and when they feed.
Bait-training with non-toxic feed
Non-toxic bait is distributed and the pigs are trained to feed at specific intervals. Once they're coming in on a predictable pattern, we plan the night around them.
Silent night operations
From our ultra-quiet CFMOTO electric ATV, we locate and destroy feral pigs with noise-suppressed rifles and thermal optics. No engine roar and no spotlights, so the group isn't scattered and stock and neighbours aren't disturbed. Every shot follows our operator code of conduct. Read why night operations work best for pigs.
Trap monitoring with an LLS trap
Trapping works well alongside night operations. We encourage landholders to borrow or acquire a pig trap through Local Land Services. We'll then monitor the trap for you and humanely dispatch any pigs that are caught, so you don't have to.
A written report, then follow-up
Work is measured. You get a written report of what was observed and what was removed, and cameras stay on to check whether pigs are returning.
Your Impact Statement
Alongside your written report, we can provide an Impact Statement for any job. It uses breeding data from NSW DPI and CSIRO to estimate how many feral pigs will be prevented from being born over the next 18 months as a result of the work on your property. It shows the real value of control: not just what was removed on the night, but the generations that won't follow.
With sows able to wean two litters every 12 to 15 months in good conditions, removing breeding animals early makes a big difference.
Feral pig control around Yass, Braidwood and the South Coast
Yass and Murrumbateman
Yass Valley country takes pigs, foxes and rabbits in the same season. Here we focus on pig entry points and bait-training programs. See feral pest control around Yass.
Braidwood, Reidsdale and Manar Creek
Pigs and wild dogs push in here. See feral pest control in Braidwood.
Bungendore, Bywong and Wamboin
Close neighbours and small acreage make quiet work essential. See quiet feral control for Bungendore, Bywong and Wamboin.
Berry, the Shoalhaven and the Eurobodalla hinterland
Feral pigs on wetter country and creek lines after rain, from Berry and the Shoalhaven down to Moruya and the Batemans Bay hinterland. See South Coast feral pest control.
What you get
- A free initial assessment and quote, then a risk assessment before any control work
- A written report after every visit covering what was observed and what was removed
- An Impact Statement on request, estimating how many pigs will be prevented from being born over 18 months
- Licensed, insured operators with $20 million public liability (never a claim)
- Gates left as we found them, and confidential work if you want it kept quiet
What affects the cost of feral pig control
Every job is quoted individually after a free assessment. The main things that affect the price are:
- Property size and terrain: creek lines, swampy ground and heavy timber take more time than open paddocks.
- Size and number of groups: a few pigs passing through versus an established population.
- Monitoring and bait-training time: how long cameras and feeding need to run before the first night.
- Number of night operations and follow-ups: a one-off knockdown versus an ongoing program.
- Trap monitoring: whether we're monitoring a trap you've borrowed or acquired, and for how long.
- Neighbours: pigs cross boundaries, and we're happy to quote adjoining properties together.
Feral pig control FAQ
Do I have to control feral pigs on my land in NSW?
In NSW, the Biosecurity Act 2015 gives landholders a General Biosecurity Duty to prevent, eliminate or minimise biosecurity risks, including feral pigs, so far as is reasonably practicable, and it's illegal to keep, move or release a feral pig; Local Land Services (1300 795 299) can explain what's expected.
Do you use 1080 or other poisons for feral pigs?
No. We use non-toxic feed only, to train pigs to a feeding pattern, then remove them with suppressed rifles at night. Pets, working dogs, stock and native animals aren't put at risk.
Do you use dogs to track feral pigs?
No. Dogs scatter the rest of the mob and subject the pig they catch to cruel, inhumane treatment. We are professionals, not hobbyists.
How long does a feral pig program take?
It depends on how many pigs there are and how regularly they visit. Cameras and bait-training come first, then night operations and follow-up. We'll outline a timeline after the assessment.
Do you trap feral pigs?
We encourage landholders to borrow or acquire a pig trap through Local Land Services. We can then monitor the trap and humanely dispatch any pigs that are caught.
Can you work with my neighbours?
Yes. Pigs cross boundaries, so coordinated control works best. We're happy to quote adjoining properties and coordinate with neighbours in a group effort. We work directly for landholders, not for any agency, and it's also worth talking to your Local Land Services biosecurity officer.
What is an Impact Statement?
It's a summary we can provide with any job. Using breeding data from NSW DPI and CSIRO, it estimates how many feral pigs will be prevented from being born over 18 months because of the work on your property.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. We're fully licensed and insured, with $20 million public liability insurance and no claims. Our Certificate of Currency is available for inspection, and every operator follows our written code of conduct.
Book a free feral pig assessment
Seeing rooting, wallows or damaged fences? Call 1800 337 257 (1800 FERALS), message us on WhatsApp, or use the enquiry form below.
Areas we service: South Coast, Southern Tablelands, Braidwood, Bungendore, Yass, Bowral.