If you live in Cave Creek, Carefree, or North Scottsdale, chances are you’ve crossed paths with one of the desert’s most determined neighbors: the javelina.

For anyone new to the area, javelina might look like wild boars, but they’re actually peccaries. These desert dwellers travel in groups, roam freely through neighborhoods, and are known for one thing, raiding yards in search of their next meal.

Why Javelina Are Tough on Landscaping

Ask any local, and they’ll tell you: javelina aren’t picky eaters. They’ll happily snack on your carefully planted desert blooms, knock over pots, root through gravel, and even topple landscape lights if it helps them get to food.

After years of living in Cave Creek, I’ve replaced more plants than I can count thanks to these nighttime visitors. So the big question becomes: are there any plants javelina won’t eat?

The Javelina-Proof Plant Hack

Here’s a tip I picked up from our local garden center in Cave Creek, and it’s surprisingly simple. If you want to find plants that javelina avoid, look just outside the gate of the garden center.

The plants left outside (at the perfect height for browsing) are rarely touched. Those varieties tend to be the most resistant to javelina damage, making them a safer bet for your yard.

Tips for Protecting Your Yard

While no plant is completely immune, here are a few strategies that can help keep your Cave Creek landscaping intact:

• Choose plants that garden centers display outside the main gates, these are often javelina-resistant.
• Plant in raised beds or sturdy containers to make access more difficult.
• Supplement with native plants that are naturally less appealing to javelina.

Living With Javelina in Cave Creek

Part of life in the Sonoran Desert is learning how to live alongside its wildlife, and javelina are no exception. They may frustrate gardeners, but they’re also part of what makes living in Cave Creek unique.

With the right plant choices and a little strategy, you can keep your yard looking beautiful while coexisting with your wild desert neighbors.

Have you discovered any plants that javelina truly leave alone? I’d love to hear what’s working in your yard—share your tips in the comments!

Photo by Dulcey Lima