The Fence Post

Safety Risks and Slow Motion

The deer population has been an ongoing concern for several reasons. They’re a safety risk near roadways and a nuisance in urban areas. Do you remember the movie “Bambi?” That’s the term commonly used when referring to deer. My first encounter with a deer was at age nine. I remember riding in a car one fall morning along a country road lined with flat open fields and barbed wire fencing. Suddenly, my eyes fixed on a brown object moving at an unbelievable speed towards the road. A deer suddenly leapt over the fence in front of the car. Everything moved in slow motion as the deer slid onto the hood and smashed through the windshield where its long neck and head came to rest between the driver and me. Fortunately, no one was injured. The deer was not so lucky. True story!

Deer Control 

The Northeast and other areas have seen damage from white-tailed deer on crops, orchards, and residential landscaping. Community developments in rural areas have forced deer to look for new food sources in gardens, and even lawns. Destruction of vegetation in communities has generated awareness for new methods of deer control in conjunction with deer fencing materials: polypropylene, vinyl-coated hex netting, and high tensile deer fence.

Integrated Pest Management

The EPA definition - Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common-sense practices. IPM programs use current, comprehensive information on the life cycles of pests and their interaction with the environment. This information, in combination with available pest control methods, is used to manage pest damage by the most economical means, and with the least possible hazard to people, property, and the environment.

The IPM approach can be applied to both agricultural and non-agricultural settings, such as the home, garden, and workplace. IPM takes advantage of all appropriate pest management options including, but not limited to, the judicious use of pesticides.

An Integrated Pest Management approach is a strategic approach to dealing with deer. The University of Rhode Island landscape horticulture program lists a fact sheet online with an (IPM) control plan that lists effective methods to control deer.

Making Progress: Three Steps

Before instituting an effective IPM method it’s important to take the following three steps:

1. Define your objectives by identifying your short and long-term goals.
2. Analyze the site by noting the damage done, plants eaten, and size of the deer herd if possible.
3. Develop a plan by having a budget and deciding what tactics to employ. You can put all this together in an IPM approach to your deer control problem with greater success.

A Deer Fence that Delivers Results

Deer fence is one of the ways of implementing an IPM for deer control. Three types of mesh fences are available: 2" x 1-3/4" extruded black polypropylene, 1" black vinyl coated hexagonal mesh, and 12½ gauge high tensile woven wire. All are available in extra tall sizes. The type you choose can be determined by the steps listed above. Which is best suited to your needs?

Helping the Turtles Migrate                                                           Arkansas DOT photo                                                    

Have you ever seen a turtle fence? They are being used more frequently to cut down on roadkill in areas where highways cross the natural migration routes of turtles.

What is it?

• A turtle fence is a physical barrier that prevents turtles from entering any area
• Fences can guide turtles to an underpass or other safe way of crossing the roadway

It's important because...?

• To reduce a source of distraction and a cause of accidents on high speed highways
• To save lives
• To protect and preserve endangered species

The Details

• Welded or woven wire fence with a ½" x 1" to 2" x 2" mesh is ideal
• 16 to 12.5 gauge wires are sufficient
• Galvanized before, galvanized after or vinyl coated mesh, depending on the desired lifetime of the fence
• 24" to 36" height depending on species

A turtle fence can be a costly project and is often a cause of debate. Maintenance, especially in areas of heavy snow, can be quite costly if the fence is damaged by snowplows. Do you think the expense is justified?

Security for Your Horse

A Choice of Two Styles of Fence

     • Will you be boarding the horse at a different location or keeping it on your own property?

     • Are you getting a horse for yourself or for your children?

There are two types of woven wire mesh fences ideal for horse paddocks: 

A 2" x 4" Woven Horse Fence

        Featuring:

• Galvanized class 1 or class 3 finish for protection from rust and corrosion
• Black painted wire with heavy duty class 3 coating - blends into background
• Long lifetime
• Heavy 10 gauge top and bottom wires
• 12.5 gauge filler wires
• Strong square knots safely secure vertical and horizontal wires
• 2" x 4" openings prevent hoof entanglement
• Flexible - allows "racking" over uneven ground contours
• No uneven or sharp wires to injure animals
• 48" and 60" heights in 100' rolls

The Strong Keepsafe Diamond Mesh Woven Horse Fence 

        Featuring:

• Galvanized - class 1 and class 3 
• Close spacing of wires prevents hooves from becoming entangled
• Fence has spring and flexibility
• Horizontal wires - heavy double strands of 12.5 gauge wires are twisted for strength
• Vertical wires - 14 gauge wires create the V mesh
• Requires little maintenance when installed
• Rugged long lasting fence
• No sharp edges to harm horses or people
• 50" x 165' and 58" x 165' rolls available

Top Netting used at the Birmingham Zoo 

Notice how this netting is attached to a 12.5 gauge woven 2" x 4" mesh fence

You have a collection of valuable birds you want to contain within a certain area. You want the birds to be safe from predatory birds from above. You want to cover a large area. You want a high ceiling or open roof. Installation needs to be as easy, safe, and as fast as possible. The material you use must be soft and flexible, enough so that the birds will not hurt themselves when they come in contact with the netting while they are in flight.

What can satisfy all these requirements?

Flight Pen Top Netting - long life and easy to use

Used by zoos, commercial game bird farms, animal rehabilitation, and backyard hobbyists. The multiple strands of woven black polypropylene provide protection for your birds. Here's a list of the benefits:

• Rolls are lightweight and easy to handle
• Support structure can be less robust, less expensive
• Large size rolls make it easier to cover large areas
• No need to make a patchwork of smaller rolls
• Flexibility makes top net softer - less chance of injuring yourself and your birds
• Available in a wide variety of roll sizes, weight, and mesh sizes
• UV resistant for long life
• Top net will not rust
• Mesh is resistant to mildew and rot

Do you have any birds that need safety and protection?