Finding the Right Repellent for Javelinas Targeting a Northern Arizona Golf Course
Introduction
Operators of a northern Arizona golf course have been dealing with the issue of javelinas destroying their turf. Javelinas, which are pig-like peccaries, have been causing significant damage to the Seven Canyons Golf Club in Sedona. The general manager of the golf club, Dave Bisbee, believes he has found a solution to repel these animals – chili oil.
The Problem
The golf course has been repeatedly targeted by foraging javelinas, but the amount of damage witnessed this time is rare. Bisbee suggests that the unusually hot summer experienced in various parts of Arizona might be the reason behind these animals devouring the golf course. Sedona, in particular, received less than 2 inches of rain throughout the whole summer, as opposed to the 18 inches it received last year during the monsoon season.
Coexistence with Javelinas
The golf club has been collaborating with the Arizona Game & Fish Department to find a way to coexist with the javelinas. The department informed Bisbee that the golf course is home to approximately 30 to 50 herds, with each herd consisting of six to nine javelinas. Bisbee also mentioned that there are other golf courses in the state facing a similar issue, but Seven Canyons Golf Club has garnered immense social media attention due to a video shared by the assistant superintendent, Emily Casey. The video depicted the extensive damage caused by the javelinas and has been viewed over 25 million times.
Past Attempts
In the past, the golf club tried using granules of coyote urine to repel the javelinas during a hot and dry summer. However, this method proved to be ineffective, and the damage increased further. Bisbee humorously compared it to “putting bacon bits in their salad.” So, this time, the golf club has resorted to using chili oil, which seems to be the most effective repellent for now.
Future Solutions
The golf club plans to procure a concentrate of chili oil from their suppliers to create a spray. They believe that this spray will help repel the javelinas until the temperatures cool down, which should naturally prompt the animals to seek food elsewhere. However, finding the right formulation of chili oil is critical to maintain the health of the grass, so the club continues to experiment with different options. Bisbee describes the process as a “continuing dance” as they strive to strike a balance between protecting their turf and coexisting with the wildlife.
