Our Blog - The Fence Post | Joe Morrell (9)

Joe Morrell

Guarding Your Pets from Wildlife Aggressors

January 14, 2019 | by Joe Morrell

Coyotes Raccoons Skunks Mountain Lions/Cougars Woodchucks

Keep Your Loved Ones Safe

As more undeveloped land is taken for house lots and commercial areas, the natural habitat for wildlife is increasingly restricted. Sightings of animals such as coyotes and deer are more frequent. The need for ways to protect pets from potentially aggressive wildlife increases. Here are some strategies in avoiding dangerous interactions with a variety of animals, your pets, and you.

Coyotes

One of the best ways to keep pets safe is to build a wire fence. To protect against coyotes, it is best to use a fence six to eight feet in height. You can either bury 12 inches in the ground or bend it so it lays on top of the ground to the outside of the enclosure as an apron. This will discourage digging.

There are many choices of welded wire fencing and woven wire fencing meshes available:

Welded wire fencing - Galvanized Before Weld (GBW), Galvanized After Weld (GAW) and Vinyl Coated (VC)

14 gauge, 1" x 2" and 2" x 4" mesh

12.5 gauge, 2" x 4" mesh

Woven wire fencing -

Apron fence - 17 gauge, 1.5" hex netting mesh

Deer & Wildlife fence - 12.5 gauge high tensile wire

2"x4" mesh non-climb fence - 12.5 gauge

Emu & Ostrich fence - 12.5 gauge

Poultry & Garden/Deer & Orchard fence - 14.5 gauge wire

A Few Notes on Coyotes

Generally content to stay out of sight, a hungry coyote may make an appearance. They are resilient and their numbers are increasing in some areas despite efforts to control them. Closer at hand than one realizes, they create dens in forested areas, in parks (yes, city parks too) and greenbelts. Coyote attacks are usually linked to being fed by humans and those rare attacks involve children six and younger for the most part. They will move on once they realize there are no vittles to tempt them. Be sure that pet food is not left outdoors and spilled birdseed can be a problem--it attracts rodents and therefore coyotes. They are natural predators of dogs, feral cats, and outdoor cats sometimes; however, they are more interested in rodents, berries, grasses, and your vegetable garden.

Naturally, avoiding contact is best
Dawn and dusk are times when they roam--avoid walking a dog at these times (easier said than done)
Your dog must be kept on a leash and not far from you
Dogs are vulnerable to diseases that coyotes harbor--be sure your dogs' vaccinations are updated
If a coyote comes too close, appear larger by standing on something (a rock or stump) and act in a threatening way, appearing as a danger, not prey
The only way to keep cats safe is to keep them indoors
Use noisemaking equipment to ward off a coyote that shows up repeatedly

Raccoons

cute

An Electric Fence

Because Raccoons are excellent climbers and diggers, an electric fence is one method for controlling them. A couple of lines of electric fence at a distance of about 8 inches above ground and another line about 8 inches away from the fence is good. Burying the fence 6 inches underground and at a width of a foot will also help. However, there are no guarantees with raccoons, they are agile and clever.

Chicken Wire Probably Won't Stand Up

It's possible to use regular wire fencing, but it must be thick enough so they can't shred it (as they would with something like chicken wire. Louis Page can advise.) Making sure that the fence is far enough from what you want to protect is crucial as they can reach in and do damage. At the top, it is necessary to bend the fencing outward--away from the pen.

Various Notes on Raccoons--

Widespread across North America, when provoked raccoons are vicious. Raccoons aren't looking for a fight, but if cornered and threatened they will eviscerate an animal. Their teeth and claws are little daggers.

Never feed a raccoon--this is a major reason why they lose their fear of humans and come closer than they should
Keep pet food indoors
Make sure that the area around a barbecue is kept clean
Trash containers lids should be secure
Pet doors must be raccoon-proof
Cats are more prone to diseases that raccoons carry--keep your cat's vaccinations up to date
Don't chase a raccoon away, it may be threatened and invite attack

Not so cute

Skunks

Repelling Skunks

Skunks are not gifted climbers and that's good news for us. There are methods to secure a garden area as skunks dig around plants in search for grubs. To control these diggers, apron fencing, two feet wide, must be partially buried a couple of inches around the circumference of the area you want to protect and at a height of four to five feet. This will discourage dogs and coyotes as well.

Mercifully, skunks find humans and their pets an aberration, so they limit their foraging time to the night. Lights and activity usually repel them, so contact is rare. The spraying happens when a skunk perceives its backed into a corner or surprised. Interestingly, the spraying is used as a last resort and cannot be employed again for three or four days--I know, cold comfort, if you have been sprayed.

Do not attempt to scare off a skunk--back away
A dog must be completely controlled for a skunk to back down
In bad situations, saucers of ammonia may work as a repellent to skunks and many wild animals
If the worst happens, have nearby: Dawn dishwashing soap, hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and old towels (to be discarded)

------------------------------------------------------------

Clean up brush and other debris around your property to keep animals from building nests. Seal off holes and cracks in your house. Look around your barn for entry sites and fill these in. Make your space as inhospitable to wildlife as possible. Orphaned wild animals should be left alone--their parents are often not too far off and will return to them.

------------------------------------------------------------

Mountain Lions/Cougars

To Be Sure: Tall Fencing

Generally, pets are safe in the yard during the day unless there have been reports of a sighting; however, nighttime is another story--this is the time when mountain lions are most active and pets should remain indoors
Dog leashes of 6 feet or less
For the protection of your livestock, tall fencing is required; mountain lions are powerful--they can jump up to 15 feet and can leap a distance of 40 feet
If approached, avoid running, stand your ground, pick up pets and small children
Do not make eye contact, attempt to appear larger by waving your arms or using your jacket above your head
Back up slowly
Give the cougar ample room, making sure to steer clear from cubs, if present

The name "mountain lion" includes cougars, pumas, and panthers. The reference to lions is only related to their color. Cougar is the most common name in North America. Largely found in the western areas of North America, there are some populations east of the Mississippi that are small. There is a subspecies in Florida, called the Florida Panther, which is highly endangered.

Deer are a mainstay of mountain lions and not attracting deer to your property is an important safeguard.

Woodchucks

Small dogs that dig (good example: terriers) can be vulnerable to a woodchuck that is sensing its territory is being invaded. Also, dogs that are protective of their space can be more aggressive to invaders and prompt an altercation. Woodchucks have razor-sharp teeth and can become hostile when cornered; though admittedly this being rare, animals are unpredictable. Cats are generally not threatened. What is most likely threatened on your property is your garden.

Stopping Climbing and Burrowing

The clever woodchuck moves below ground of course, and also above.

A 6-foot fence is required as a minimum, with 5-foot posts
Chicken wire should be dug in 10 inches or more below ground level
Leave a foot of chicken wire unattached from the post at the top and bend it outwards--this prevents the woodchuck from getting a good grip for climbing over the fence

Another possibility is:

Place 3 feet of chicken wire flat on the ground around the perimeter of the garden
After which, secure a 4 to 6-foot fence vertically 6 inches in from the chicken wire edge which leave 2 1/2 feet of chicken wire on the outside on the ground
At the top, leave 12 inches of the chicken wire bent outwards away from the garden, unsecured
The woodchuck will not be able to dig under the vertical fence because of the 3 feet of chicken wire surrounding the garden

Image from Mass Audubon Society.org

As the Old Farmer's Almanac advises: The best woodchuck deterrent is a fence.

Gophers

Gophers are highly destructive animals. They live in burrows and like to eat many of the plants that people have in their yards and gardens. They are voracious--eating half their body weight each day. If a family of gophers takes up residence in your yard, you could quickly find your lawn taken over by gopher mounds and tunnels. It is easy enough to kill or capture gophers once they arrive, but it would be greatly preferable to keep them out in the first place.

Fencing is a very effective tool for keeping gophers out of your yard. What kind of wire mesh do you need? To keep the gophers out, choose wire mesh fencing with no more than ½-inch openings. Gophers are burrowing animals, so the fence should extend at least 18 inches below the surface. Because it will be highly susceptible to corrosion, choose galvanized steel or vinyl coated fence wire. If your yard is already populated by gophers, you will need to use one of the other methods to get rid of the gophers once you install the fence; otherwise, you could end up with a gopher sanctuary. Electric fencing is another option for restraining gophers.

Bad News on Gophers

Gophers can cause a number of problems. The aesthetic damage to your landscaping is just the beginning. Gophers also eat garden plants like carrots, lettuce, and radishes. They have sharp teeth, and like any other animal, they can be dangerous when they feel threatened. Most famously, and perhaps worst of all, gophers make holes in your yard; these holes are a trip hazard for anybody, but especially for children and elderly individuals. Before you know it, a child could have a sprained ankle and an older person could end up with a broken ankle, wrist or hip. Then there are the diseases they carry--

Rabies
Plague and hantavirus
Monkey Pox, the most common--which exhibits flu symptoms--aches, swollen glands, fatigue and small pustules on the skin

Their tunnels can cause soil erosion by diverting irrigation water. During a gopher's digging activity, lawn sprinkler systems and plastic water lines can be gnawed on and damaged.

A burrow system can cover an area of 200 to 2,000 square feet
Food storage and nesting areas can be as deep as six feet
Feeding burrows with a 3" diameter are most often 6" to 12" below ground

Topics: woven wire, welded wire

Philadelphia Zoo Revolution

November 5, 2018 | by Joe Morrell

"Zoo 360" from the Philadelphia Zoo

Strides are Being Made

Zoo 360 is a campus-wide network of exploration trails--for animals. Featuring elevated trails surrounded with see-through hexagonal wire mesh that allow animals to roam above, across, and around the park. Animals are able to explore, circle through and around visitors, who can see them through tunnels of galvanized mesh, creating more interest and exercise for the animals and revolutionizing the experience for visitors. This allows animals to be observed in action and doing more of what they would do in the wild. Rather than existing in stationary exhibits--animals can wander, be more active and are less bored, which:

enhances their quality of life
lets them travel longer distances
allows them to explore a variety of environments
links habitats, where appropriate

Some examples:

Treetop Trail--smaller primates can visibly walk or swing through tops of trees.
Gorilla Treeway--higher places to observe and explore with an extensive area to move about.
Big Cat Crossing--tigers, lions, jaguars, leopards, pumas, and others are able to prowl about and get some exercise.
Meerkat Maze--an underground world where Meerkats can do what they do--running, digging, popping their heads out of their burrows and observing the scene above.

Here is a video that will give you a look at the latest developments at the Philadelphia Zoo.

And these smart folks at the zoo know that stainless steel mesh resists rust, corrosion, and stands up to harsh chemicals. They also use rust resistant vinyl coated mesh which resists destructive elements such as acid rain and guards against abrasion while the black coating works as an invisibility cloak, creating a non-distracted view--much better than green and not as prone to glare as the galvanized grey. And the happy answer here is less maintenance and replacement, because the galvanization is reinforced with highly bonded PVC which extends the life of the fence indefinitely.

An Enriched Experience

Inside those walls of mesh--an animal's environment is improved through the provision of:

trees with various levels for perching
vines
a variety of ground, soil and rock modifications
nesting and den possibilities
programs of positive reinforcement that stimulate cognitive abilities
familiar and unfamiliar scents
recordings of sounds that would be heard in the wild
food that is hidden, buried or scattered so that an effort must be made to attain it as in the wild
toys that are of particular interest to a given species
programs for which you can sponsor a specific animal and also make contributions for toys etc.

Well done!

Progress is being made and the Philadelphia Zoo is evidence of that. We here at Louis Page applaud this innovation and congratulate the zoo's fine work on the behalf of the animals and the visitors!

Topics: wire mesh, cages, zoo, Wire Mesh for Zoos, vinyl coated, hex mesh

Paddle Tennis

August 14, 2018 | by Joe Morrell

Resiliency and Longevity

The screens that surround your Platform Tennis (or platform tennis if you prefer) court are relied upon unceasingly as the ball remains in play. These walls of mesh can take a beating during play, also from the elements, and from ordinary wear and tear. Now there is a superior mesh on the market all over the U.S. (and indeed, internationally) that sets the bar high for the overall resiliency and longevity of a platform tennis court.

Finding the Right Mesh

However, products are flooding the market, in particular, the mass-produced Chinese sources that may be adequate in the short run, but may not stand up in the long haul. Proper galvanization, the tensile strength of the wire and its accurate diameter, and specification of the mesh size are all essential for optimal performance of the game. As the ball hits and bounces off the screen in umpteen directions, the reliability of mesh is key in the moment-to-moment strategizing of the game.

A Developing Company

It is vital that as a court ages, that the durability of the mesh can stand the test of time as the court is exposed to the elements and daily use. In the past, the galvanized wire cloth used for the screens of our courts were machined by Gilbert & Bennett from Georgetown, Connecticut, a company that had made all the wire cloth in the country. The company's closing in 1989 left a void in sourcing mesh for the paddle tennis industry and thus the search was on for an equivalent manufacturer. Regrettably, this is when poultry netting produced in China appeared on the scene as the worldwide hunt for a source ensued. Thankfully, a steel wire company in Belgium named Betafence emerged and became the manufacturer until a few years ago.

On to Bogota

With map in hand, we now travel to a small town near Bogota, Colombia named Cajica, where a factory exists that carries on this tradition of creating the finest platform tennis mesh. The identical state-of-the-art machinery, that Betafence has maintained for 28 years, has made the voyage to Cajica and the company Andimallas y Andimetales S.A. has now been established, producing a mesh of that same high quality.

Details that Make the Difference

The installation of these machines was carried out by the same technicians that had been involved in Belgium for generations so that the quality, standards, and specifications have been maintained scrupulously. There are huge advantages of working with this type of mesh: it is smoother, easier to install and it can also be tensioned to have exactly the same rigidity as the galvanized after weave mesh, and the galvanization is stronger than the other galvanization system--240 grms-zinc/m2. Rolls are 16 gauge, 1” mesh, 72” x 157.5’ and weigh 296 lbs.

With a Winning Team

The mesh is known as "Hexa Sport" and Louis Page has exclusive rights to supply and distribute this mesh for the American market. Louis Page is excited to be teamed with the international company Andimallas y Andimetales S.A., a specialist in the production of hexagonal mesh and we endeavor to supply and rejuvenate Platform Tennis courts across the nation. With 125 years in the business, Louis Page stands front and center in its commitment to delivering the finest in mesh and fence products available. With your game hanging in the balance, here is a resilient mesh that will keep that ball in play.

Rolls are in stock and large orders (40 rolls/container) are made to order.

Topics: hex netting, 16 gauge, platfrom tennis, 1" mesh, paddle tennis

Cat-Proof Fence--Five Miles of it

July 25, 2018 | by Joe Morrell

The Endangered Hawaiian 'ua'u (or more commonly known as the Hawaiian Petrel)

In the lava crevices on the slopes of Moana Loa, the Hawaiian petrel nests. Now a bit less nervously as a 5-mile hexagonal mesh fence protects these endangered birds from feral cats, who stalk and feast on the birds' vulnerable chicks. The curved floppy top of the fence prevents the cats from successfully scaling it. Take a look at this video which explains the massive undertaking of installing this cat-proof wire mesh fence in a remote location as well as showing the nesting habits of the 'ua'u (or Hawaiian petrel.)

Some Progress

There used to be thousands of petrels and it is said that their presence would blacken the skies at particular times of the year. The population has dwindled due to increased settlements and people bringing in cats, rats, feral pigs, and barn owls. The struggle goes on as outdoor lights on homes and buildings are very disorienting to the young birds, causing groundings, which leave them vulnerable to predators. The 'ua'u is also preyed upon by Indian mongooses and feral dogs which this fence also restrains. Two years on, there are reports that this hexagonal mesh fence is proving successful as there is an upturn in the number of nesting sites in the area.

What about Coated Hex Mesh?

Hexagonal netting (aka chicken wire) that has been coated with a coating of PVC will last and last. After the 1" hex mesh is woven from 20 gauge galvanized wire (GBW), it is completely coated with a tough, flexible, bonded layer of black PVC.

The coating is:

extremely resistant to cracking, chipping, and weathering
unaffected by extremes of temperature
protected from degradation from sunlight by the UV inhibitors in the vinyl

Vinyl coated chicken wire has an approximate 18 gauge overall finished thickness and is highly resistant to rust and corrosion. Black color helps the mesh blend in with the landscape, becoming virtually invisible. This long-lasting mesh works well in a variety of applications: bird pens, garden fence, around the home or farm, and as you can see--on the lava slopes of Moana Loa!

Tell us about the job and Louis Page will supply the type of fence you need.

If you are interested in more information on the restoration of the Hawaiian petrel:

Topics: black vinyl coated, vinyl coated, 1.5x1.5, galv after, 12.5 gauge, 1" mesh, exclusion fence

Restraining Lava Loiterers

July 12, 2018 | by Joe Morrell

Protecting people from lava flows and from themselves.

There are some fencing products on their way to Hawaii. It seems some physical barriers are required to offset the lava-play aficionados and looky-loos that are putting themselves at peril. For us at home, observing the mesmerizing lava flows from your screen of choice is a popular pastime, quite understandably. However, far from these screens is the tough job of predicting the actions of people who are curious or foolhardy enough to want to get close to the volcanic activity. Louis Page has been called in to assist with the fence and mesh needed to curb these adventurous and possibly harebrained scofflaws. Remember that vinyl coated high tensile wire is the fence of choice for longevity and strength.

Over-reacting? Nope.

The dangers are numerous:

Those fascinating sea water explosions of boiling water and steam require onlookers to be at least a 1/4 of a mile away for safety. That steam is not just water vapor!
Methane gas is created when vegetation is inundated without oxygen, exploding up to 100 yards ahead of the lava flow.
The flows emit fumes that contain glass particles, sulfuric acid, and hydrochloric acid--no walking or standing in these toxic clouds.
And some folks are enticed onto the new land created by the lava hitting the ocean--called benches--which are very unstable and prone to collapse.

Tourists and Hawaiian residents, observing bursts of gas and flame from the streams of lava, are being arrested for walking on hardened igneous rock and trespassing citations are handed out as people avoid barricades to take pictures, being caught going through areas with toxic gases.

The Phenomenon of Pele's Hair

And if the above list wasn't enough, there are the fine flaxen tresses of Pele. Named for the Hawaiian goddess of volcanoes, droplets of cooling lava are stretched up to six feet in the wind and should not be touched as it is actually volcanic fiberglass that can be very sharp and penetrate the skin. Here is a quick video to illustrate this phenomenon:

Fines

Entering certain zones bring a $5000 penalty and a year in jail. These reflect fines and punishments increased recently by the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Is there a type of fence that you need to manage or direct pedestrians? Louis Page can assist you in finding just the right fence for your situation.