How to Keep Non-Targets Out and Pigs Coming Back

You’ve got land to run, fences to fix, water to manage, and crops or cattle that depend on you getting it right. Trapping feral hogs might not be your full-time job, but protecting your land absolutely is. And nothing slows down wild pig control like non-target animals crashing your bait pile.

Raccoons. Deer. Bears. Curious critters that don’t mean harm — but they sure cause it when they clean you out and spook the pigs.

“Feral hogs cause an estimated $2.5 billion in damages each year in the U.S., most of it to agriculture.”
USDA National Feral Swine Damage Management Program

The Challenge: Non-Target Species

Bait attracts pigs but it also draws in every other critter with a nose. Bears treat it like a buffet. Raccoons and deer pick it clean. Not only does that drive up your bait costs, but it also teaches pigs to stay away.

And if the pigs don’t feel safe at the site, they’re not coming back.

“Every pound of bait eaten by something other than a wild pig is a pound wasted. Worse, it trains feral pigs to stay away.”

The Solution: Capsaicin as a Targeted Repellent

Last spring, we partnered with biologists, landowners, and university researchers across eight states to test a simple idea: use spice to protect the bait. Specifically, Carolina Reaper-grade capsaicin powder is the same stuff that’ll make you cry from across the room.

Capsaicin has long been used to keep mammals out of gardens, off wiring, and away from trouble. But could it keep non-targets out of pig traps?

Turns out, yes.

“At 80g per gallon of water, the capsaicin solution kept bears, deer, and raccoons away, with zero impact on wild pigs.”

The Results: Science-Backed, Field-Tested

We field-tested across diverse environments and bait piles. At lower concentrations, non-targets were still curious. But at 80g per gallon, most walked away after one whiff. Meanwhile, pigs didn’t mind the spice at all; they kept coming back.

Trail cam footage confirmed what we suspected: this wasn’t just a workaround, it was a smarter baiting solution. No gates. No electronics. Just a strategic repellent that works where it counts — in the field.

“Pig Brig’s science-first approach helps protect every dollar, acre, and hour you put into land management.”

For Landowners Like You

Whether you’re managing pasture, planting soybeans, or protecting timber stands, feral pigs are an expensive threat. The USDA estimates wild pigs damage:

• Over 5 million acres of farmland annually
• Billions in crops, fences, pastures, and equipment
• Water sources through contamination and erosion
  

And they don’t take weekends off.

What We Recommend

If you’re dealing with bait site freeloaders, here’s the mix that worked:

• 80g of capsaicin powder per 1 gallon of water
• Apply ~24 oz of solution per 25 lbs of dried shelled corn
• Use a pump sprayer for even coverage
• Wear gloves and eye protection (this stuff bites)
• If freeloaders persist, increase by 10g increments
  

This wasn’t built in a lab for a white paper. It was developed with and for landowners like you, using real-world pressure to drive practical results. 

Bottom Line

When you’ve got pigs tearing up your land and raccoons beating them to the bait, you need tools that work, not theory. That’s where we come in.

Pig Brig® Trap Systems invented the original net-based trap system. No gates. No electronics. Just proven results. We created the category and continue to refine it every season, working with farmers, ranchers, researchers, and wildlife pros who need wild pig control that actually works.

If you're looking for help fine-tuning your setup or need advice on handling nosey neighbors with paws, text or give us a shout at (833) 744-2744.

We’re here to help you protect your land, your time, and your bottom line.

Feral pigs don’t take breaks. Neither do we.