The Fence Post

Small Rodent, Big Appetite

Midnight Marauder

Kangaroo rats are small rodents with a big appetite for seeds and vegetation and can destroy a garden of any style. They are nocturnal and raid gardens and hoard foods during the night. Traditional apron fences and chicken wire are ineffective at keeping them out because this rat can squeeze through small openings.

Expandable Cheeks that are Fur-Lined  

Before we consider how to stop them, let's take a moment to learn a little more about this interesting creature. It inhabits the Southwestern U.S. primarily and gets its name from its long hind legs and the way it sits on them, hopping up to six feet in a single bound. But that's where the similarity to a kangaroo ends. The exceptional characteristic that they possess is the ability to survive in the desert. They have admirable kidney function which allows them to survive for long periods without water. They have large fur-lined expandable cheeks that they pack with food and then bring it back to a storage location for later consumption when there is none available. This is how they can devastate a garden so quickly because they don't take time to eat, they grab as much as they can and then come back for more. They like seeds the most, so they do the most damage during planting season. They dig up seeds and clip off sprouts at their base. 

Burrowing Under, Squeezing Through

So, if traditional fencing does not work, what will? Hardware cloth is a lightweight galvanized mesh; it is available with ¼" square openings, too small for even the kangaroo rat to squeeze through. Since the rats can burrow, below-ground protection is also required.

The perimeter of the garden should be enclosed with the hardware cloth. It should extend at least 30" above grade and 12" below. Additionally, at the bottom, the material should be bent out forming a 6", 90° "L" similar to apron fence. Therefore a small trench of 7-8" wide x 12" deep should be dug around the garden, the L shaped hardware cloth is dropped in and back-filled. The portion extending above ground should be secured to posts. However, if there is an existing fence there is no reason to remove it, simply attach the hardware cloth to it.This plan of action should prevent the kangaroo rat from squeezing through or burrowing under into your garden. This method is both humane and effective, working best for smaller home gardens. Larger fields may require a different solution. 

23 gauge, 4 x 4 (¼") Hardware Cloth--48" x 100' Roll

23 gauge, 4 x 4 (¼") Hardware Cloth--48" x 50' Roll 

Acknowledgments to:

Dept. of Fisheries & Wildlife Sciences, New Mexico State University

So That They Shift No More! 

Carting rocks around from one place to another can be a risky business. And yet, you need to get them from the source to the dealer and then ultimately to the job site.

Rocks Controlled

You pile them on a pallet, but how do you keep them from rolling around? How do you make sure they don't roll off the truck and smash onto a passing vehicle? How do you safely restrain them?

Secure Rocks Using Wire Mesh

Have peace of mind as you roll along. Be free from worry, knowing that your stones are securely wrapped in wire mesh. They will reach their destination without incident.

Wrapping Stone Pallets--Options

• Woven wire mesh - 20 gauge, 18 gauge, 16 gauge, 12½ gauge
• 1", 1½", 2" hexagonal mesh
• 2" x 2", 2" x 4" "square" mesh
• galvanized before, galvanized after and vinyl coated finish
• Welded wire mesh - 16 gauge, 14 gauge, 12½ gauge, 11 gauge, 10½ gauge
• mesh sizes: ½" x ½", ½" x 1", ½" x 2", ½" x 3", 1" x 1"
• mesh sizes: 1" x 2", 1½" x 1½", 2" x 2", 3" x 2", 1½" x 4", 2" x 4"
• galvanized before, galvanized after and vinyl coated finish

Secure Animals: Containment and Exclusion

There are many different styles of woven wire fence that can be successfully used in zoo displays. These wire fencing products can also be put to use around the home, farm, and public areas such as parks and recreational areas. Think of these fences when you have any situation where animals need to be contained or excluded.

Double Wattled Cassowary & 2" x 4" woven wire mesh - Birmingham Zoo

 12.5 gauge, 2" x 4" mesh

Woven 2" x 4" mesh is made with heavier 10 gauge selvage wires running along the top and bottom edge of the fence. This gives the fencing greater strength. Strong 12.5 gauge wire makes up the balance. A third piece of 12.5 gauge wire forms a smooth stiff knot around the horizontal and one-piece vertical wires securely holding them together. Knotted construction gives the fence some flexibility, making it easier to install on uneven ground. Woven 2" x 4" mesh is available in three different finishes: Class 1 galvanized, Class 3 galvanized, and Class 3 black. It can be used effectively with very large birds, other animals such as dogs, horses, zebras, and any other animal that requires a strong fence. 

Woven 2" x 2" wire mesh fence on sides of display - Franklin Park Zoo

16 gauge, 2" x 2" mesh

Made with the same knotted construction as the 2" x 4' fencing, this lighter-weight woven wire fence is made using 14 gauge wires on top and bottom and 16 gauge wires for the filler. As with its heavier brother, the fencing has inherent flexibility. 2" x 2" mesh can be used with birds and other small animals - situations where a lighter fence will be effective.

Deer and Wildlife Fence

Woven Deer and Wildlife Fence - Franklin Park Zoo

Woven from 12.5 gauge high tensile wire, this strong heavily galvanized fencing can be used with many different kinds of animals. All feature spacing between horizontal wires that graduate from small at the bottom to large at the top. Heights range from 4' through 10'. Horizontal and vertical wires are held together with fixed knot construction. Deer and wildlife fencing is available with a Class 3 galvanized finish. Some heights have a Class 3 black finish. The strength and height make this an ideal fence to use with a wide range of animals.

Deer fence gateway - Birmingham Zoo

 Do you have any unusual animals that you want to keep in - or out? Check out our Emu blog.

 Cintoflex--Flexible, Non-Toxic, and Easy to Install

Cintoflex, a Tenax fencing product, was designed as a replacement for an alternative to galvanized hexagonal chicken wire netting. Made from high-density polyethylene, Cintoflex can withstand environmental stresses such as UV rays and extremes of temperature. These black polyethylene poultry net meshes are produced by a patented stretching and extruding process. The netting is manufactured as a continuous net, possessing strength associated with wire netting. Cintoflex is non-toxic. It is unaffected by contaminants such as acids generated on a poultry farm.

Versatile Cintoflex Plastic Netting Advantages:

• Lightweight
• Flexible
• Completely recyclable
• Easy to handle
• Easy to install
• Will not rot, rust or corrode
• No rough edges to injure you or your animals
• Easy to store - requires less space
• Available in four different mesh sizes
• Black color blends with the background becoming virtually invisible
• Multiple overlaps are eliminated in installations where height is required

• • Perimeter protection
  • Bird exclusion
  • Deer control
  • Protection of trees, shrubs, and berries
  • Aviaries
  • Litter and debris control
  • Pond protection