Laredo Funds $400,000 Feral Hog Control Program

Residents with hog-damaged yards should expect the city's contractor-run program to begin within 30 to 60 days, with equipment staying in city hands.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Wildlife

Dry South Texas brushland at a shallow water channel, with a feeding trough and hoof-churned ground under early-morning light, suggesting a feral hog problem. — Laredo City Council approved a $400,000 contract to hire a contractor for its feral hog control program, with work expected to begin within 30 to 60 days. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should your city spend public money to control feral hog populations?

Laredo City Council has approved the final step needed to hire a contractor to manage the city's feral hog program. The city is buying equipment that will stay in municipal hands after the contract ends, and residents with damaged yards and decorations should expect control work to begin in the coming weeks.

Why it matters

Residents in Laredo have reported thousands of dollars in repeated property damage, and some are afraid to walk or run in their neighborhoods during early morning or nighttime hours. Procurement and the release of funds under the new fiscal year are the main reasons the timeline has taken this long.

The first-year budget is about $400,000, with roughly $200,000 for equipment and roughly $200,000 for professional wildlife management services. About $175,000 has been allocated for equipment, and the city expects the program to start within 30 to 60 days.

The players

Laredo City Council

The elected body of the City of Laredo, which approved the final step to hire a contractor for the feral hog program.

The details

City staff are using drones and infrared technology to identify areas of hog activity and are preparing bait sites before the equipment arrives. The program will initially focus on areas where hog activity has been most severe, including parks, public land and water sources. The equipment will remain in municipal possession after the contract with the contractor ends.

Late November or early December 2026: targeted start of the new feral hog control program.
Within two to four weeks: expected arrival of program equipment.
Before Christmas 2026: program could begin if remaining steps stay on schedule.

The Home Front

Feral hog damage to yards and property has become a recurring concern for Texas residents, and Laredo's decision to fund equipment that stays with the city reflects a shift toward longer-term municipal control. Cities facing repeat property damage typically weigh one-time removal costs against ongoing management needs, which is the choice Laredo has made here.

If you have had hog damage to your yard, keep a record of photos, dates, and repair costs in case they are useful for future city reporting. Consider scheduling a licensed pest or wildlife professional if damage persists after the city program begins.

The takeaway

Laredo is funding a city-owned control program rather than one-time removals, so the effort is designed to last beyond the first year. Residents dealing with hog damage should document losses now and contact the city about any reporting channels once the program begins.