In the past, the levees near the developing areas around Missouri City and Sugar Land have experienced severe hog damage. Trapping and removing/destroying the hogs proved to be a temporary solution due to the rapid breeding cycle of the hogs and the lack of natural predators in the area.
More recently, FCLID and a number of other levee districts have been treating their levees and ditches with insecticides, mostly to control ants (their beds/burrows can damage the levee surface and grass cover). An added benefit of that treatment is the reduction of grubs on our levees, which then reduces the occurrence of hogs rooting into the grass cover and damaging the surfaces of our levees and ditches. Without a food source, the hogs move on to other areas, unfortunately sometimes residents’ yards and common areas along the streets.
In 2023, FCLID partnered with neighborhoods and First Colony Community Services Association (FCCSA) to place fences near the levee to prevent hogs from entering neighborhoods. Large gates were installed for the sole use of FCLID for equipment access to the levee. It is hoped this will reduce the hog damage in residential neighborhoods in the District.