One thing Northern gardeners can be grateful for is not having resident javelinas wreaking havoc in the garden. A friend of mine recently moved to the Tucson area and told me about dealing with javelinas in the yard and garden.

What Do Javelinas Eat?

Javelinas might look like little pigs, but they’re actually a peccary (a distant cousin, but not the same species as pigs) and occupy areas from Argentina to the desert Southwest in the United States. While the feral hogs found in many parts of the country were introduced from Europe, these are a native species in South and Central Americas that migrated north. Whether in rain forests of South and Central America or in the deserts, these little critters are very adaptable to changing habitat.

Peter Warren, Urban Horticultural Agent for the Pima County Cooperative Extension office, assists homeowners in handling their javelina situation. He said, “They can dig up entire vegetable gardens and eat entire plants.” They often dig for roots, turning up the soil and destroying the plantings. Plus, they can and will eat plants many other animals might avoid.

The Omnivore Diet

Being omnivores, Warren said they’ll often consume prickly pear cactus and mesquite beans, and will forage for other native and cultivated plants. “If pressed, they may also eat other animals such as birds and lizards,” he noted.

With that said, Warren sent me a terrific list of plants that javelinas won’t often eat to provide gardeners a bit of hope. Although, as he clarified, “Lists like this are to be taken with a grain of salt, because these animals will feed on a wide variety of plants and like other animals such as deer will eat most anything if the choices are few, especially in times of drought since they get their necessary water from plants.”

I’ve pointed out in earlier posts where deer have resorted to eating species of plants they usually don’t touch in dire situations. Javelinas will do the same.

Although they’re not naturally aggressive if they’re left alone, they can bite if cornered or harassed. This holds true for dogs that might think it’s a good idea to put the run on the javelinas. They will stand up for themselves.

Don’t Feed Javelinas

If you have javelinas in your area, don’t feed them. Just like raccoons, deer, and other wildlife, when you feed them you’re creating an unnatural and undesirable situation.

Yes, they might be cute to watch. But they won’t be so adorable when they’re getting into more than the food you set out for them. Plus, when you bring in a prey species in a convenient group, you’re attracting predators. What mountain lion wouldn’t love to take their pick of the little javelinas peacefully eating in the backyard?

They’ll also eat dog or cat food you set out for your pets, so be careful to bring it inside when the pets aren’t eating.

Keeping Javelinas Out of the Garden

Most gardeners want to know how to keep javelinas out of the garden. Warren says the only proven way to protect plants is to exclude them with fencing.

The easiest route is to install a low-voltage electric fence. Use a couple of strands and put the bottom strand at 8-10 inches, which is just the right height for their sensitive noses. Add another 8-10 inches above that to prevent them from going over the top, and you should be fairly safe.

Javelinas are interesting. But as people move into their habitat, conflict between gardeners and javelinas are bound to happen. It takes some effort to live with them. Don’t feed them, plant strategically, and fence what you really love.

The photo is courtesy of George Andrejko/The Arizona Game and Fish Department.