Human Scalp Hair (HSH) Waste as an Alternative for Reducing Invasive Activity of Wild Hog: A Preliminary Study

Abstract

The weaknesses in the human hair waste management system has brought many environmental problems that are rarely taken into account. In most of rural areas, this waste is still being used by farmers to protect their plantation from wild hog attacks. However, this traditional practice is seem unpopular and has little exposure. Study in the past related to this waste in Malaysia is still far behind compared to other countries. Moreover, the past practices of this waste as repellent did not highlight the prior procedure and their effectiveness as pest controller to control invasive activity of wild hog. This study aims to briefly discuss on the conflict of human and wild hog, past mitigation practices, potential usage of hair waste as temporary repellent and to share the result of 5 days pilot study through field trial conducted in small orchard in Muar. In this study, fermented corn bait has been applied at the study area to increase the activities and probability of visitation of wild hog. Four (4) samples were placed in the private orchard namely (A) 5kg whole kernel corn; (B) 5kg whole kernel corn mixed with 20g of hair; (C) 5kg whole kernel corn mixed with 40g hair; and (D) 5kg whole kernel corn mixed with 60g hair. The result during feeding test is observed and analysed. Through this pilot study, it indicates the potential of hair waste application as a temporary wild hog repellent.