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NATSOP-PIG006 National Standard Operating Procedure: Poisoning of Feral Pigs with HOGGONE® Sodium nitrite Baits

Endorsed by the Environment and Invasives Committee 30 August 2024.

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Background

HOGGONE® feral pig bait contains sodium nitrite, a compound that is highly toxic to pigs. The mode of action is similar to carbon monoxide poisoning, with sodium nitrite intoxication leading to a state of unconsciousness before death. HOGGONE® baits containing sodium nitrite have minimal risk of secondary poisoning, are usually not attractive to livestock and native species and are less hazardous for operators compared to other toxins. The Relative Humaneness Matrix (Sharp and Saunders 2011) rated sodium nitrite as relatively more humane than 1080.

HOGGONE® is supplied as a dense solid paste bait and is offered to feral pigs in trays delivered in a pig specific feeder (bait box). The sodium nitrite is in a microencapsulated form (meSN®) which is spread throughout the paste.

This National Standard Operating Procedure (NATSOP) is a guide only; it does not replace or override the relevant state or territory legislation. The NATSOP should only be used subject to the applicable legal requirements (including WHS) operating in the relevant jurisdiction.

Individual NATSOPs should be read in conjunction with the overarching Code of Practice for feral pigs to help ensure that the most appropriate control techniques are selected and that they are deployed in a strategic way, usually in combination with other control techniques, to achieve rapid and sustained reduction of feral pig populations and impacts.

Application

  • Poisoning with sodium nitrite should only be used in a strategic manner as part of a co-ordinated program designed to achieve sustained effective control.
  • Baiting of feral pigs is considered an effective method of reducing pig populations in conjunction with other management options.
  • Poisoning is primarily used as an initial control method whilst other methods such as trapping, ground shooting and exclusion are used as follow-up techniques to keep pig numbers at a low level.
  • Bait trays can only be used in target-specific bait boxes that prevent access to non-target animals.
  • A dose of 250–350g per pig, as specified on the label, provides a small surplus of the minimum lethal dose required to kill the average size target animal. The additional amount of bait ensures sufficient toxin for a range of pig sizes given a mixed population with juveniles and adults is likely.
  • The best time to conduct a poisoning program is when surface water is scarce, and pastures have dried off. At this time pigs will be concentrated near permanent water points and are more likely to eat bait due to hunger. It can be difficult to get feral pigs to find bait stations and to take bait when there is abundant green feed. To achieve maximum population reductions, it is also recommended that broad scale control programs be conducted prior to breeding, which usually peaks between May and October. In south-eastern Australia, summer or autumn is usually the most effective period for baiting pigs.
  • Baiting of feral pigs with HOGGONE® can only be carried out under label conditions set by the Australian Pesticides & Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) under Commonwealth legislation (Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code Act 1994).

Animal welfare implications

Target animals

  • Sodium nitrite works quickly in pigs, resulting in unconsciousness and death within about 1-3 hours. This is a shorter timeframe compared with other toxins currently or previously used for feral pig control in Australia such as sodium fluoroacetate (1080; 4-6 hours) or phosphorus (yellow phosphorus or CSSP; 2-4 days (approved for use in NT only)).
  • Sodium nitrite primarily induces the formation of methaemoglobin which restricts the oxygen carrying capacity of red blood cells leading to central nervous system anoxia.
  • Sodium nitrite poisoning progresses rapidly in pigs. Signs include progressive lethargy, incoordination, and vomiting. Closer to death the respiratory rate increases and, in some animals, severe dyspnoea, terminal seizure events and coma can occur. Pigs appear to be distressed for only a short period (5 to 10 minutes) prior to reduced consciousness.
  • To minimise the animal welfare implications of leaving dependent piglets to die a slow death from starvation it is preferable not to undertake sodium nitrite baiting programs when sows have recently farrowed. This can vary with season and area.

Non-target animals

  • Poisoning of non-target species can occur directly by eating baits intended for feral pigs (primary poisoning).
  • Sodium nitrite is quickly metabolised, therefore residues in the meat of dead pigs pose minimal threats to non-target scavengers. Vomiting has also shown to be minimal thus further reducing the risk of secondary poisoning.
  • HOGGONE® is presented in target-specific bait boxes (e.g., HOGGONE Paste Bait Hopper) which reduces the risk of primary poisoning of domestic stock and wildlife.
  • The mode of presentation of HOGGONE® makes it somewhat target specific. However, the paste product itself remains highly toxic to working dogs and pets.
  • Veterinary intervention in non-target poisoning cases aims to convert methaemoglobin back to haemoglobin (usually with methylene blue, although this too can be toxic in high doses), provide oxygen and respiratory support and to absorb toxin (with activated charcoal) and promote its excretion (with saline or sorbitol). For further information vets should refer to Blue Healer Glovebox Antidote.

Workplace health and safety considerations

  • If poisoning occurs, contact a doctor or the Poisons Information Centre (Ph 13 11 26) IMMEDIATELY.
  • For further information refer to the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), available from the supplier.
  • Care should be taken when handling pig carcasses as they may carry diseases such as leptospirosis, Q fever, Japanese encephalitis (JEV), brucellosis, sparganosis, melioidosis and tuberculosis that can affect humans and other animals. Routinely wash hands after handling all carcasses. Carcasses can be heavy (>100kg), so care should be taken when lifting/dragging.

Equipment required

  • HOGGONE® bait has been developed to provide a highly targeted and ready-to-use tool for the management of feral pigs. The paste formulation contains 100g/kg sodium nitrite.
  • HOGGONE® bait must only be presented in target specific bait boxes (e.g., HOGGONE Paste Bait Hopper). The HOGGONE® bait hopper is designed to carry 6x trays. Five kg pales of poison bait are also available to replenish trays.
  • A ‘placebo paste’ that doesn’t contain any toxin is also available in 5kg pales for free- feeding with the bait hoppers.
  • Notification signs must be displayed at all entry points to a baited area or property.
  • Chemical-resistant gloves are required when opening HOGGONE® containers and using the bait.

Procedures

  • Do not use HOGGONE® bait unless within a pig-specific bait station such as the HOGGONE® Paste Bait Hopper.
  • Sodium nitrite is a very unstable compound that actively absorbs moisture. To retain efficacy, bait must be kept dry at all times and residual bait should not be reused.
  • Place bait stations at known places where feral pigs frequent such as pads or water points. The use of free feeding, with grain or pellets for example, will enhance site selection and bait uptake. Guidance on free feeding is provided in the HOGGONE® meSN brochure (link provided in further information list).
  • When the poisoning program is finished, ensure that left-over bait is removed from the bait boxes and disposed of. Unused bait and containers should be buried at a depth of 0.5m in a disposal pit specifically marked and set-up for this purpose. Empty containers and product must not be burnt. Do NOT re-use containers for any other purpose.
  • Users of HOGGONE® must always refer to any specific permit and approved label for up-to-date information on conditions of use including distance restrictions, public notification and bait preparation, distribution, storage, transportation and disposal.

For further information on HOGGONE® from the manufacturer refer to:

Disposal of carcasses

Reasonable steps should be taken to collect and dispose of carcasses poisoned using HOGGONE® to minimise disease risks associated with using meat to attract other pigs as discussed above. Carcasses should be buried some distance away from the baiting area.

For further information about disposal of carcasses in some states and territories refer to:

References

  1. Anon (2018) Vertebrate Pesticide Manual. NSW Department of Primary Industries, Orange. Available at: https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity/vertebrate-pests/publications/nsw-vertebrate-pesticide-manual
  2. Bengsen A, Gentle M, Mitchell J, Pearson H and Saunders GR (2014) Management and impacts of feral pigs in Australia. Mammal Review 44, 135-47.
  3. Choquenot D, McIlroy J and Korn T (1996) Managing Vertebrate pests: pigs. Bureau of Resource Sciences. Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra.
  4. Cowled BD, Elsworth P and Lapidge SJ (2008) Additional toxins for feral pigs (Sus scrofa) control: identifying and testing Achilles’ heels. Wildlife Research 35, 651-662.
  5. Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science (2010) Assessing the humaneness and efficacy of a new feral pig bait in domestic pigs. Report for the Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre, Canberra.
  6. Invasive Animals CRC (2016) Working dog safety & first aid. NSW Department of Primary Industries, Orange. Available at: https://www.cwba.org.au/wp- content/uploads/2018/11/Working-dog-safety-and-first-aid.pdf
  7. Lapidge SJ and Eason CT (2010) Pharmacokinetics and methaemoglobin reductase activity as determinants of species susceptibility and non-target risks from sodium nitrite manufactured feral pig baits. Report for the Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre, Canberra.
  8. McLeod L and Saunders G (2013) Pesticides used in the management of vertebrate pests in Australia: A review. NSW Department of Primary Industries, Orange.

HOGGONE® meSN Feral Pig Bait is currently available as a manufactured bait from Animal Control Technologies Australia – https://animalcontrol.com.au/products/hoggone and it is a regulatory requirement that HOGGONE® is deployed in the Hog Bait Box. https://animalcontrol.com.au/products/hoggone-mesn-feral-pig-bait-box

View our FAQ below for more information on HOGGONE®.

©

Disclaimer:

ALWAYS READ THE LABEL

Users of agricultural or veterinary chemical products must always read the label and any permit, before using the product, and strictly comply with the directions on the label and the conditions of any permit. Users are not absolved from compliance with the directions on the label or the conditions of the permit by reason of any statement made or not made in this publication.

How to reference this page:

Terrestrial Vertebrate Working Group (2024) NATSOP-PIG006 National Standard Operating Procedure: Poisoning of Feral Pigs with HOGGONE® Sodium nitrite Baits. PestSmart website. https://pestsmart.org.au/toolkit-resource/baiting-hoggone-for-feral-pigs accessed 22-03-2025

Frequently asked questions about HOGGONE®

What is HOGGONE® and how does it work?

HOGGONE® is a next-generation feral pig bait, designed for broad‑scale control and management of feral pigs. Fast‑acting and highly toxic to pigs, the active compound in HOGGONE® is sodium nitrite — a common human food preservative — which acts by blocking oxygen-binding pathways in the pig. This mode of action is far more humane than existing baiting systems and sodium nitrite toxicity is potentially reversible. An antidote, methlyene blue, is currently being investigated.

Reference

  • Cowled et al. (2008). Additional toxins for feral pig control: identifying & testing Achilles heels. Wildlife Research 35:651-662

Is sodium nitrite really more humane than existing feral pig baits?

Yes. According to independent testing (www.imvs.sa.gov.au/), sodium nitrite satisfies the general criteria for a humane poison — it is rapid and the symptoms leading to death are generally unremarkable. Sodium nitrite works very quickly in the pig, resulting in unconsciousness and death within about two hours. This is a much shorter timeframe than other toxins currently or previously used for feral pig control in Australia such as warfarin (1–2 weeks), phosphorus (yellow phosphorus or CSSP; 2–4 days) and sodium fluoroacetate (1080; 6–8 hours). Sodium nitrite does not cause severe clinical disease with high levels of distress. The mode of action is similar to carbon monoxide poisoning, with sodium nitrite intoxication leading to a state of unconsciousness before death.

Reference

  • Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science (IMVS, 2010) Assessing the humaneness and efficacy of a new feral pig bait in domestic pigs.

 

Isn’t nitrite a strictly controlled substance?

No, sodium nitrite is already used in the food industry as a common meat preservative. Sodium nitrite should not be confused with sodium nitrate, which is far less toxic and not practical for feral pig control. A patent has been granted on the use of sodium nitrite as a vertebrate pesticide, so only IA CRC/ACTA licensees can manufacture nitrite-based vertebrate pest products.

Can I use standard meat preserving nitrite for feral pig control?

No. Standard meat preserving nitrite should be avoided as it is unlikely to kill and would probably compromise future pig baiting programs in the area. Although meat preservatives and curing agents contain sodium nitrite, the percentage of nitrite is too low to be toxic to feral pigs. Some preservative mixtures contain less than 1% sodium nitrite, with the rest made up of regular salt. Feral pigs find salt unpleasant and can develop a strong aversion to baits that have a salty taste. The sodium nitrite in HOGGONE® baits is microencapsulated to avoid issues such as bait aversion, and to maximise stability and gut delivery to the pig.

Reference

  • Siu & Henshall (1998). Ion chromatograhic determination of nitrate & nitrite in meat products. Journal of Chromatography A. 804:157-160.

What about availability and operator safety of HOGGONE® baits?

The classification level of HOGGONE® baits will be lower than currently available pig toxins, which means reduced hazard for operators and greater availability in most states and territories. HOGGONE® baits are likely to be classified Schedule 6 (S6) under the Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Medicines and Poisons5 (SUSMP) and the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code Regulations. S6 chemicals are available to the public, but containers must include the heading, ‘Poison’. Due to their moderately hazardous nature, direct contact with S6 chemicals should be avoided. It is recommended that HOGGONE® baits be handled with tongs, which also provides the added benefit of reducing human scent on the bait.

Can I eat the meat from pigs that have been poisoned by HOGGONE® baits?

Yes. There is no possibility that a human or any other animal could receive a lethal nitrite dose from eating muscle tissue from HOGGONE® poisoned feral pigs. You are more likely to find higher levels of nitrite in your average vegetables (57 mg/kg) and cured meats (100 mg/kg) than in the muscle of nitrite-poisoned feral pigs (2–6 mg/kg). However, consumption of undigested stomach contents should be avoided as they may contain intact bait material.

References

  • Hord et al (2009). Food sources of nitrates and nitrites. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 90(1):1-10.
  • Correia et al (2010). Contribution of different vegetable types to exogenous nitrate & nitrite exposure. Food Chemistry 120(4):960-966.

 

Someone said that sodium nitrite causes cancer. Is this true?

There is no evidence of a cancer risk from the sodium nitrite used in feral pig baits. Authorities in toxicology and food safety have deemed nitrites safe to eat when used appropriately. Public health benefits of nitrite use far outweigh potential risks, with the addition of nitrites to certain foods essential for the prevention of spoilage and food‑borne disease such as botulism. In recent years health experts have questioned claims about nitrite links to cancer, especially as new studies point to possible benefits of nitrite consumption to cardiovascular health and blood pressure.

References

  • National Toxicological Program (2001). Technical Report on the Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of Sodium Nitrite in Rats and Mice. US Dept of Health & Human Services.
  • American Meat Institute (2008). Sodium Nitrite: The Facts.
  • Food Safety Australia (2010). Nitrites – Good or Bad?

Has HOGGONE® been thoroughly tested?

Yes. HOGGONE® baits have been extensively tested both in the laboratory and controlled pen trials for stability, palatability, persistence of the toxin in the carcass/environment, efficacy and humaneness. Current field testing for national registration of HOGGONE® is nearly finished, and the baits have proven highly effective against feral pigs across a range of rural settings in Australia. Testing of non‑toxic versions of the bait is also well underway in the United States.

Are other animals at risk from HOGGONE® baits? What about my dog?

Livestock and native species are not usually attracted to HOGGONE® baits. However, individual animals may sample a bait, so it is recommended that non-target animals be excluded from baiting points by fencing or use of a HogHopper™. The HogHopper™ — a bait delivery device that targets feral pigs (pictured right) — has been developed with the management of populations of feral pigs in mind. The HogHopper™ design increases the selectivity, efficiency and safety of feral pig baiting. In areas where farm dogs have access to bait points, a HogHopper™ should be used.

How long does it take for HOGGONE® baits to break down?

HOGGONE® baits are designed to break down over time with the action of moulds and bacteria in the soil. Breakdown varies with temperature and soil moisture from about a week in wet tropical conditions, to two months in dry areas. While it is not essential to retrieve HOGGONE® baits from baiting sites, it is good practice to remove any excess bait at the end of a program.

How does HOGGONE® fit with other pig control techniques?

Toxic baiting is a broad‑scale management tool and the most cost-effective means of controlling feral pigs in Australia. On their own, HOGGONE® baits (with HogHopper™) have consistently reduced feral pig activity by 70–90% in field studies. Research indicates that using different control methods in a coordinated way is the best approach to remove pest animals and prevent damage. Landholders are likely to see long‑term benefits from an integrated approach to feral pig management that combines HOGGONE® baiting with other techniques such as shooting and trapping.

The authors of these documents have taken care to validate the accuracy of the information at the time of writing. This information has been prepared with care but it is provided “as is”, without warranty of any kind, to the extent permitted by law. The views and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the institutions the authors work for or those who funded the creation of this document.

FURTHER RESOURCES ABOUT BAITING

In this five-part series, Jason Wishart discusses things to consider and what to look for when choosing a site to set up a bait station for feral pigs. This includes how to use water points, check signs of feral pig activity along roads and tracks and spot travel paths.

Using the HogHopper as a delivery system? Jason discusses and demonstrates the use of the HogHopper® bait delivery device for feral pig control. Aspects such as assembly, site selection, pre-feeding and toxic baiting are covered.

 

Useful resources

HogHopper™ Responsible Feral Pig Management (.pdf, 2.13MB)
Commercialisation of the Boar Buffet®/HogHopper™: A feral pig specific bait hopper. (.pdf, 726.21KB)

Connect with Government

It is important to connect with the relevant government authorities to ensure you have the right permits in place prior to undertaking your management program.

Connect

Research evidence

Efficacy of encapsulated sodium nitrite as a new tool for feral pig management

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10340-015-0706-7

https://doi.org/10.1002/wsb.775

https://doi.org/10.1002/wsb.775

Management Resources

Further Learning