The Polish city of Gdynia has found an unexpected yet natural way to manage its wild boar problem: fragrant flowers. These flowers, known for their vivid colors and pleasant scents, are proving to be effective at keeping wild boars away from the city’s urban areas.
Flowers like hyacinths, with their intense fragrance, seem to be a natural deterrent to wild boars, driving them away from residential zones. The city’s authorities have noted a significant drop in wild boar sightings since the introduction of strategically planted flowers.
Gdynia, situated on the Baltic coast, is surrounded by expansive forests and green spaces, covering about 45% of the city. These areas have become a habitat for an increasing number of wild boars, who often venture into the city, damaging lawns and gardens while foraging for food.
On top of the damage, the presence of African Swine Fever (ASF), a dangerous viral disease affecting both wild boars and domestic pigs, has been detected in some of the wild boars in Gdynia.
Last year, the district veterinarian ordered the trapping and culling of 80 wild boars to control the spread of ASF. This action sparked protests from local residents, with the Let Them Live (Niech Żyją) foundation arguing that it violated Poland’s animal protection laws.
To address the issue in a more humane manner, Gdynia’s gardening department has introduced a variety of plants to areas frequently visited by wild boars. Over the past few years, this non-lethal approach has shown positive results.
Tadeusz Schenk, Gdynia’s municipal gardener, spoke to local station TVP3 Gdańsk, saying, “We have confirmed the effectiveness of this solution.” Schenk explained that certain plants, like those with strong smells, poisonous substances, or physical barriers, have been successful at deterring the wild boars.
Along with hyacinths, other plants used include ornamental garlic, lavender, knotweed, silvergrass, dense rose bushes, tufted hairgrass, and catnip. These plants are helping to keep Gdynia’s wild boar problem under control, creating a safer and more pleasant environment for residents.
