The Fence Post

Making Sense of Mesh for Zoos

Zoo New England operates Franklin Park Zoo in Boston and Stone Zoo in Stoneham, MA. Both of these zoos use vinyl-coated welded wire meshes and fencing in quite a variety of applications.

Vinyl-Coated Mesh

In the picture above, both 1" x 2" and 2" x 4" vinyl-coated welded wire meshes are attached to rail fences and wooden posts to create an attractive and durable barrier around this display area.

• The tough, securely bonded vinyl coating resists abrasion and is ideal to use in heavy traffic areas
• The black coating is less distracting to the eye 
• This wire fence will last a long time, reducing both the frequency of replacement and the cost of repairs

Preventing Corrosion

Here, two different sizes of vinyl coated welded wire meshes cover the top of a box holding a duck undergoing medical attention. The vinyl coating protects the wire from corrosion, an important feature in areas exposed to constant moisture.

Zinc Coating Makes a Difference

Galvanized 16 gauge ½" x 1" wire mesh encloses this cockatoo display. The attractive zinc coating protects the wire underneath from corrosion. The surface is tough, though softer than bare wire. Or for a truly rugged and long-lasting cage, stainless steel mesh is the answer.

Avoid Costly Replacements

Small, lightweight vinyl coated welded wire mesh makes excellent netting to block off the top of an aviary. This mesh is very durable and longer-lasting than plastic netting. The cost of replacement is reduced.

Safe Enclosures

Heavy 1½" x 1½" vinyl coated mesh is used as a fence along with stainless steel netting, making a strong enclosure for this display.

Standing Up to Wear and Tear

Vinyl-coated 1" x 2" welded wire mesh (turned on its side) makes a secure airlock-type transition between two display areas. Mesh is fastened to a wood frame. Coated mesh really stands up for use in high-traffic areas.

For even more security...

Heavy gauge vinyl coated fences are attached to both sides of a wood post and rail fence. Small hands cannot reach into the display and the fence cannot be climbed. Vinyl coated welded wire meshes come in a wide variety of gauges and mesh sizes. Something suitable is available for every application.

Can you think of other uses for these meshes in other locations - around the farm or home?

Road Safety, Controlling Drifts, and Field Management

Using research done in Wyoming, here are some videos from the University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service explaining the benefits and functionality of snow fences.

Have you ever seen these snow fences in operation? Would snow fences be appropriate for your situation? Is the scale of these snow fences too big?

 First, begin with this helpful overview of protecting raised beds. 

• Does the damage caused by gophers cost you money?

• Are you tired of gophers destroying your lawn, garden, fields, and flower beds?

• Have you been looking for a gopher deterrent to solve the problem?
  
  

Zinc-Coated Hardware Cloth

One type of mesh ideal for this purpose is 19 gauge hardware cloth with ½" x ½" square mesh. This galvanized after weld mesh lasts a long time underground.  The zinc coating resists rust and corrosion. It is available in 24", 36", 48", 60" and 72" widths. Roll lengths are 50' and 100' except for the 60" and 72" sizes which are only available in 100' rolls. The wider widths work well when you need to cover a large area like a lawn.

An Impenetrable Barrier 

An effective way to eliminate damage and destruction of your lawn, garden, and planted areas is to lay down wire mesh under the soil. This will form an impenetrable barrier, preventing gophers from digging their way to the surface, forcing them to stay underground outside of protected areas.

Gophers, Moles, and Voles

Here's one man's answer and an excellent use of hardware cloth: 

More Protection

If you want a product that will last even longer, use wire that is black vinyl-coated. The same mesh is available in all widths in 100' rolls. Vinyl coating over the galvanized mesh gives significant additional protection against rust and corrosion.

Have you tried other methods of gopher exclusion? Do they work?

What other types of gopher deterrents do you find effective?  

Drifts Impacted

How can you prevent snow from drifting over fields, highways, and roads? Snow fence creates an effective barrier that slows wind-borne snow, causing it to drop downwind of the barrier. Both height and porosity of the fence have an impact on the size of the drifts. There are different types of snow fences:

Wood Slat Snow Fence

Wood slat snow fence is available in rolls, usually 48" x 50'. Fairly lightweight and easy to handle, this traditional type is made of wood laths woven together with four or five double strands of galvanized wire. The cost of a wood slat snow fence is determined by the species of wood used, the open space between slats, the thickness and width of the slats, and the gauge of the wire used. Rolls are available with a red-stained finish or a natural unstained finish. Other colors may be available on a custom order basis. There may be minimum quantity requirements.

Plastic Snow Fence

Flexible, lightweight, easy to handle and store, plastic mesh snow fence is gaining in popularity. The mesh of horizontal openings is designed to slow the wind carrying the snow, ensuring that the snow is dropped close to the downwind side of the fence. Rolls are 48" tall and are either 50' or 100' long. Black and orange colors of plastic snow fence are available.

Wood Board Snow Fence

This type of permanent snow fence is more common in areas that receive heavy snowfall and strong winds. 2" x 6" horizontal boards are secured to vertical posts. 1" x 6" or 1" x 8" vertical boards are sometimes nailed to the horizontal boards. This style can be as tall as 8½ feet. Angle braces are sometimes used to prop up the fence so that it will withstand heavy winds.

Living Snow Fence

Snow fences can be made by planting trees and shrubs in such a pattern that areas downwind are protected from drifting snow. These living fences require little if any maintenance. No rolls have to be taken down and stored. The fence acts as an attractively landscaped windbreak during the summer months.

Do you have problems with drifting snow? What is the best thing you have used to control the problem?

They're so Quiet, Beautiful, and Unmanaged

As deer become overabundant in some areas of the country, there are some unfortunate results:                 

• The diversity of the forest understory is reduced
• Native species of flora must increasingly compete with non-natives
• New growth and seedlings are damaged or eaten
• Smaller trees are damaged by deer rubbing against them
• With less diversity comes fewer songbirds as intermediate forest vegetation is lost

The presence of deer is becoming obvious. The intensity of the assault on your trees and shrubs seems to increase every year. In their search for fodder, your plantings become a readily available supply of food, replacing what is available during the warmer growing months.

Pruning That You Don't Want

Are you frustrated as you watch the deer eat and destroy the greenery on your property?

And are you discouraged by the sight of the trees you planted being nibbled and stripped?

Addressing the problem is next, but how to proceed? Some answers:

Your Plants and Trees Protected

Deer fencing can protect your trees and shrubs. You can use it to surround individual plantings. Deer fence can also be used as a protective perimeter fence around your entire property. In both cases, you prevent deer from having access to what you want to protect.

Three types of deer fence available:

1. Galvanized high-tensile woven wire fence, also known as deer and wildlife fence, is heavy, very strong, and highly effective. 330' rolls are available in different heights from 48" through 120", these fences offer the best protection. Some sizes are available with wire that is painted black. The black color enables the wire to blend with the background making the fence virtually invisible. The horizontal and vertical wires are securely locked together by a third wire in a "fixed knot" construction.
                                                                                                                                                                   
2. Black vinyl-coated woven wire deer fence is made from 20 gauge, 1" hexagonal mesh. Basically chicken or poultry wire that has been coated with a thick layer of black PVC, this lighter weight fence can be used as an effective barrier. Lighter and easier to work with than the deer and wildlife fence, the underlying wire is protected from rust and corrosion. Rolls are 150' long and up to 84" tall. 90" height is available in 100' rolls.
                                           
3. Black polypropylene deer fence with a 2" x 1.75" extruded mesh is the easiest to work with and install. Particularly effective in protecting individual trees and shrubs, this versatile fence can also be used to secure larger areas. 7.5' x 164' rolls are lightweight. The black color makes this fence unobtrusive.

Which fencing solution would you choose or have you chosen?

Would you consider a fence, or do you have a different solution to the problem?