LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The Arkansas Legislative Council has approved new requirements for the use of warfarin-based bait products to control feral hogs, creating a new pesticide classification and imposing county-by-county and seasonal restrictions on where the toxicants may be applied.
The amended rule, which took effect June 29, establishes a Class J pesticide classification for all pesticides containing warfarin when used as a feral hog toxicant, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture announced.
But the effective date does not immediately authorize the sale or use of feral hog toxicants in the state. Before any product can be sold or used, it must be registered by the Arkansas State Plant Board, and products may only be sold by licensed restricted-use pesticide dealers to licensed applicators who have completed product-specific training.
Where and when bait may be used
The rule limits warfarin feral hog bait in two ways. First, use is prohibited in any county where black bears have been harvested since 2023, based on Arkansas Game and Fish Commission harvest reports. Second, in all other counties, use is prohibited from April 1 through November 30 — meaning bait may only be applied from December 1 through March 31.
Applicators must hold a valid commercial, noncommercial or private applicator license, complete label-specific training provided by the product registrant and maintain detailed records of each application — including GPS location, dates, product brand and applicator name — for two years.
Federal funding for eradication
The announcement comes as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act authorized $47 million for the federal Feral Swine Eradication and Control Program. Arkansas is one of 14 states selected to receive funding for feral hog eradication efforts over a five-year period.
Feral hogs cause significant damage to agricultural lands and natural resources across the state. The Department of Agriculture said it will continue working with producers, dealers and applicators to ensure the new requirements are clearly understood.
