Posted by Frank Langone on Mon, Dec 07, 2009
Want to do some projects before the holidays?
What kind of fence or mesh should you use?
Cages - for rabbits and other small animals
- 16 gauge, 1/2"x1" mesh - use Galvanized After Weld (GAW) for the bottom of cages
- 14 gauge, 1"x2" mesh - use Galvanized Before Weld (GBW) for the top and sides of cages.
Holiday Decorations- Hexagonal mesh netting, also known as poultry
fence
- Flexible - easy to work with and cut into shapes
- Galvanized - 1/2", 1" and 2" meshes
- Black vinyl coated - 1" mesh
- Small mesh hardware cloth
- 1/2"x1/2" and 1/4"x1/4" meshes
- galvanized and vinyl coated
Deer Exclusion Barriers- Protect your shrubs and plantings
- Heavy duty protection with woven galvanized deer and wildlife fence - height up to 10'
- Black vinyl coated 1" hexagonal netting blends into background - up to 7' height
- Unobtrusive, 7-1/2' light weight black extruded plastic 2"x1-3/4" mesh deer fencing
Bird Cages
- Galvanized and vinyl coated wire mesh
- 1/2" hexagonal mesh
- Galvanized After Weave (GAW)
- Excellent cage mesh for canaries and other small birds
- 48"x25', 50' and 150' rolls
Dog Kennel Flooring
- 1-1/2"x1-1/2" mesh
- Heavy 12.5 gauge GAW core wire
- Thick black or green PVC coating
- 36" and 48"x25' rolls are available (green only)
J Clip Pliers and Clips
- Excellent tool and fastener for building cages and other projects
- Connects and secures pieces of mesh
These items can be used year round as well.
Can you think of additional items?
Are there more uses for the products listed here?
Posted by Duncan Page on Wed, Oct 21, 2009
It is common knowledge that deer have become a problem which seems to intensify every year. As their natural habitat has decreased in area, deer have been forced into greater and closer contact with humans. Deer have become not only a nuisance but also, in some situations, a threat to human life.
- Hungry deer invade gardens and areas with expensive plantings.
- The impact on agriculture - farms and orchards - is extensive and expensive.
- The USDA estimates that total deer damage from auto collisions and crop and timber losses
reaches at least $1 billion a year
- Deer on the roads cause many accidents, often fatal to both deer and people.
- There are 1.5 million car accidents with deer each year, resulting in human fatalities, and personal injuries.
- When deer are present there is an increased risk to humans of Lyme disease spread by ticks.
- Deer overpopulation reduces the quality of habitat. The resulting lack of food can lead to unhealthy diseased deer.
There is no easy answer to the problem. Some of the possible means of control are:
- Exclusion
- Deer and wildlife fence barriers
- Individual trees and plants protection
- Plants deer dislike
- Deterrents
- Devices to scare deer with sound or visual stimuli
- Dogs
- Repellents using odors deer dislike
- Population management
- Hunting
- Culling - thinning out weak unhealthy animals
- Fertility control
What do you think is the best solution for your particular deer problem?
Is there one solution that can address every situation?
Is inaction the best action?
Download the following PDF that provides more detailed information of this topic:
USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Wildlife Services fact sheet
Another interesting article from NCAT: Deer Control Options
Posted by Duncan Page on Mon, Oct 05, 2009
There is no question that deer are becoming an increasing threat to the garden, trees and shrubbery on your property. The need for food and a steady decrease in wild habitat force deer into residential and commercial areas. What types of deer fence can be used for deer exclusion?
Your choice will be determined by the following factors:
- local codes and ordinances - be sure to check for height and material restrictions
- aesthetic considerations - determine what fits best with your property, height, visibility, design, appearance
- expense considerations - the cost of the fence vs value of your plantings
- effectiveness of the fence - strength, longevity, need for repair
- extent of protection - entire property or individual plantings
Types of deer fence products available:
- wood & vinyl - solid, slatted (use close spacing)
- metal - welded, woven, galvanized, vinyl coated, single strand electric, wire mesh
- plastic - extruded mesh
Whichever deer fence you choose, make sure that your fence is well braced to resist pushing. Even though deer can jump over eight feet, your fence will not have to be that high. You should place the deer fence at least 12" from the plants you want to protect.
Good luck on your project!
Posted by Duncan Page on Fri, Aug 28, 2009
One way to fence in your garden to prevent deer from eating your plants - use poly wire electric fence.
Posted by Duncan Page on Tue, Aug 11, 2009
The National Gardening Association Editors report that, on a long term basis, fencing is the best way to keep domestic and wild animals out of your garden. They offer the following suggestions and tips:
- Fences are most effective when animals can't see what the fence protects - food. A solid fence will block their view of your delectable offerings.
- Polypropylene fences are less visible than solid fences. But they will not give protection from all animals.
- Electric fences will not block your view of the garden. They can be more effective than solid fences, especially if the would be poachers know the wires are hot. Animals are unlikely to test the fence more than once.
- Be sure to check your local ordinances before installing a fence.
- Build the fence to suit the animals you want to keep out of your garden.
- Deer - you need a tall fence. A mesh, a solid or an electric fence can be effective. There are many design options available. Be sure to anchor the fence to the ground. Deer will also go under a fence if given the option.
- Cats and dogs - build a 3 foot high wire fence - buy a 5 foot roll and bend 24" at the bottom of the fence to the outside of the garden to form an apron. This will discourage digging.
- Rabbits - a 2 foot high chicken wire fence with 1" hexagonal mesh openings is recommended. Buy a 3 foot high roll and bend a 12" apron of the fence mesh to the outside of the garden. Bury it several inches deep to prevent digging.
- Woodchucks - a 4 foot high fence with a 24" buried apron works well. They suggest leaving the top 18" of the fence unattached to posts. This will challenge the animals' climbing ability. You can also string an electrified wire along the top. Placing electric fencing a few inches outside the other fence is even more effective. To protect prized plants from these tunneling pests, bury a protective wire mesh basket two to three feet underground.
- Raccoons & Opossums - you need fencing that provides an underground barrier and is difficult to climb. Use a 60" to 72" fence. Bury a 24" horizontal apron several inches underground on the outside of your garden. Leave the top 18" of the 36" or 48" high fence unattached. This will bend over as the animal climbs, preventing it from getting over the top. If you have difficulty finding 60" or 72" high fence, the apron and vertical parts can be two different rolls. Be sure to fasten the two edges together with hog rings or tie wire. For further security, electric fence wire can be run along the top. Spreading light weight netting on the ground around your garden may discourage these animals from approaching the fence.
- Coyotes - an electric fence in combination with a strong 48" fence mesh, such as sheep and goat fence, works well. Place one electrified wire 8" off the ground, 6" to 18"away from the mesh fence. An additional wire strung along the top of the fence will discourage jumping.
- Bears - can be discouraged from entering an area by using electric fence. A 36" to 48" roll of chicken wire secured to the ground with ground staples can also be used as an effective barrier. Be sure to keep the area mowed.
Do the solutions the editors suggest sound good to you?
Do you have other suggestions to share based on your own experience?
Posted by Duncan Page on Wed, Aug 05, 2009
See what the state of Montana is doing with wildlife fence in the Monument Valley area to help elk, deer and antelope migration.
Posted by Duncan Page on Mon, May 18, 2009
Deer have become a major nuisance. Each year their range gets more constricted by housing and commercial development. The inevitable consequence is that deer have been forced to plunder people's private gardens and plantings as well as orchards and large farms. The damage and loss can easily run into thousands of dollars. What is the fence solution to this growing problem? There are deer fence wire and plastic mesh products available to address this situation.
Galvanized High-tensile Woven Wire Deer Fence - These strong wire mesh fences are woven from 12-1/2 gauge, class 3 heavily galvanized Hi-tensile wire. The horizontal and vertical wires are tightly bound together with fixed knot construction. Wires are held firmly yet the fence still has some flexibility to handle rolling terrain. Vertical one piece wires cannot come unwound. Specifications are available from 48" through 120" heights. Some rolls are class 3 with wire that is painted black. Black wire blends with the background, becoming virtually invisible. All these deer fence wire meshes feature graduated openings or spacings between horizontal wires. The bottom space is smaller and the spacing gets wider as you approach the top. Rolls are usually 330' long. Hi-tensile woven deer fence products are heavy duty and provide a lot of protection. Although mainly used in agricultural settings, they will keep deer out of any location. Rolls are available in heights of 48", 60", 61", 75", 90", 96" and 120".
Black Vinyl Coated Deer Fence - Woven from 20 gauge wire, this 1" hexagonal netting has a thick and rugged coating of PVC tightly bonded to the wire. Lighter in weight than the Hi-tensile rolls, this deer fence mesh is easier to handle and install. It is ideal for protecting individual shrubs and trees, gardens and entire yards. The black color blends into the background. Rolls are 90"x100' and weigh 100 pounds.
Black Polypropylene Deer Fence - Heavy Duty Perimeter Fence made by Tenax is the lightest weight of all available varieties. This deer fence plastic mesh was specifically designed as a fence system for deer exclusion and protection in densely populated suburban areas. This deer fence features a 2"x1-3/4" extruded mesh. The UV stabilized black netting is almost invisible. Your fence will not block your view. As with the hex mesh, this poly net can be used to protect individual trees, shrubs, gardens and entire properties. lightweight and easy to handle, the rolls measure 90"x164' and weigh 35 pounds.