Scimetrics Ltd Corp Issued EPA Experimental Use Permit for Feral Hog Bait Testing

WELLINGTON, Colo., July 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Environmental Protection Agency has granted Scimetrics Ltd Corp an Experimental Use Permit (EUP) to test a bait for use against feral hogs. The study will utilize innovative technology to minimize risks to non-target animals while researching the effectiveness of the feral hog bait.

These fierce hogs endanger animals, crops, large ranges of wildlife habitat, and domestic pig operations in over 40 states-- including Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, Hawaii, California, Wisconsin, and North Carolina. Recent estimates by the USDA state feral hogs destroy over $1.5 billion in crops across the US annually. Research by Clemson University showed that each year at Fort Benning, Georgia, feral hogs consume over 3,600,000 reptiles and amphibians. Hogs are also common predators of small mammals, white-tailed deer fawns, and young goats and sheep. According to officials at the Texas Department of Agriculture, groundwater contamination is an increasing concern because of the feral hog population increase. Feral hogs compete with wildlife and livestock for resources, harboring diseases and parasites which can be transmitted to livestock and humans. They could decimate the pork industry by the spread of pseudorabies.

Matthew Cruse, Texas Game Warden in an area that is heavily affected by feral hogs, defined the problems associated with this growing population, "The wild hogs in this area are far more destructive to any of our habitat than any other animal. They will feed on any nest built on the ground whether it be of bird, mammal, reptile or amphibian. They number in the thousands and since they travel in large herds they can endanger many more animals and plants over a large area quicker than any other animal. This type of hog control could be very beneficial in our area to control the ever increasing hog population. The hog itself is endangering many species of wildlife in this area daily by the amount of habitat, nest, young, and water that they destroy. A widespread control of the wild hog is desperately needed."

The EPA EUP allows Scimetrics to begin field testing of a new management tool for the ever-increasing feral hog problem. Testing will commence this fall in Texas. Once all testing requirements and approvals meet EPA requirements, there could be a 2017 product release.

Scimetrics is a Colorado-based, family-owned manufacturer of rodent bait products, providing innovative American Made solutions.

SOURCE Scimetrics Ltd Corp