Our Blog - The Fence Post | deer fence (43)

A Flat Twist on fencing in my own garden

May 5, 2025 | by Duncan Page

A Flat Twist on Fencing in My Own Garden

Today, I want to share a unique approach to fencing my garden—a “flat twist,” you could say—inspired by an intriguing idea I stumbled upon online. While my initial attempt was met with great success, a recent challenge has prompted me to seek your insights and experiences.

The Challenge of Wildlife in New Hampshire

In the beautiful, wildlife-rich landscape of New Hampshire, where we contend with black bears, porcupines, deer, groundhogs, voles, chipmunks, and squirrels, protecting the bounty of my berries and tomatoes has always been a priority. Instead of opting for the conventional approach, I decided to explore an unconventional method to deter these marauders.

The Unconventional Solution

You might be wondering why I didn't resort to the usual fencing methods as the owner of a fencing company. The answer lies in the urgency of the situation. When I moved to my new home, I couldn't find anyone available to install a fence in time for the gardening season. So, in my quest to safeguard my garden, I discovered a fascinating concept online: laying wire mesh fencing directly on the ground to create a unique and barrier-free solution.

Initially, the results were nothing short of spectacular. The wire mesh effectively deterred wildlife and safeguarded my cherished plants for two years, leaving fellow gardeners impressed. The ingenious idea seemed to work like magic—no posts, no gates, just a simple wire mesh laid on the ground.

The Theory Behind the Method

The core theory behind this method was that the animals disliked walking on the wire mesh and stayed on the other side of it—out of my garden. It was indeed a clever and low-maintenance idea, which is what initially drew me to it.

Facing New Challenges

However, as time passed, a new challenge emerged. Grass and weeds grew through the mesh, gradually compromising the once-secure barrier. This growth partially covered the wire and made it easier for the very animals I sought to keep out to access my garden once more.

Seeking Your Insights

I'm reaching out to you, our valued customers, because I believe in the power of shared experiences and collective wisdom. Have you ever experimented with a similar approach in gardening or farming? Did you face any challenges similar to those I'm currently grappling with? If so, I'd greatly appreciate hearing about your experiences and any innovative solutions or recommendations you may have.

Specifically, I'm interested in learning how you managed to maintain the integrity of the wire mesh fence over time, particularly in the face of grass and weed growth. Your firsthand knowledge will help me address this issue and continue to protect my garden successfully.

Join the Conversation

Please reply to this email or contact me directly at your convenience. Your insights and experiences matter greatly, and I am eager to engage in a fruitful exchange of ideas.

Thank you in advance for your time, expertise, and support. I look forward to hearing from you soon and continuing to grow and learn together as a community of passionate gardeners.

Of course, I did get the mesh I laid on the ground from Louis Page 😉️

Warmest Regards,

Debbie Page

CEO, Louis E. Page Inc – Woman-owned business and Family-owned since 1893. (Unquestionably it’s been 130 years owned and run by our family)

Topics: deer fence, galvanized, fixed knot, deer and wildlife fence

Why You Need a Black Vinyl-Coated Deer Fence

September 22, 2020 | by Joe Morrell

Stopping Deer

Avoiding damage to your property from deer is best accomplished with a sturdy, well-maintained fence. There are some unique solutions to repelling deer using fencing and we begin with the fact that black is very difficult for deer to see. A deer will not risk jumping over a fence that uses black Bezinal-coated zinc-aluminum finish on the wire; it makes it very hard for them to discern the boundaries of the fence. In a single bound, deer can clear about 8 feet. The height and diameter of the black-coated wire of a 7-foot fence will cause enough confusion to send them rummaging for food elsewhere. A deer's capacity for flight is prodigious, and gauging risk to its limbs is an innate skill. An injury to a leg means becoming fodder to predators. For your part, the preparation and maintenance of a deer fence must include various factors:

Make sure that the fence is tight to the ground to prevent the deer from crawling under the fence
Vines that will inevitably grow on it should be cleared--the vines will eventually add definition to the fence which will aid the deer in clearing it
Keeping the fence in good repair is key as deer are quick to find where the fence has been damaged
Gates mean access and must be kept closed especially before dusk

Twilight and Superior Night Vision

Comparing the eyes and pupils of deer to humans, a deer's are larger on both counts
The light-gathering capacity works out to be about nine times that of human vision
The receptors of light in the back of a deer's eye (rods and cones) are accompanied by a reflective layer which to us appear to shine at night
These receptors, the rods, cones, and the light which interact to create a deer's ability to have superior night vision means that it is at final count 18 times better than human eyesight at night (for our part, the capacity for detail during the day is superior to a deer's)

Hence, a deer's most effective vision comes in low light. So, as our vision towards evening starts to dim, a deer's vision is just getting going. The shape of a deer's eye is more oval, maximizing objects on the horizon where danger may lurk, rather than from above (here's a reason why hunters that are elevated above the deer's primary source of reference have an advantage.) For a deer, the light from above can distract and this is why the black 7-foot fence is enough for them to avoid the risk of not clearing it--what's above them is simply not a usual source of threat from predators.

The Mesh You Need

You'll find that black vinyl-coated hexagonal deer fence lasts a long, long time. The 20-gauge galvanized wire is woven into a 1" hex mesh, galvanized, and then coated with a tough, flexible, thick coating of black PVC tightly bonded to the wire. The resulting vinyl-coated deer fence is very corrosion resistant. It is also extremely resistant to cracking, chipping, and weathering and the inhibitors in the vinyl protect it from UV degradation. Another benefit of the black coating is how it makes the mesh blend in with the landscape. Call Louis Page (866) 328-5018 if you have more questions.

Although the initial outlay may seem expensive, the most cost-effective plan to guard your outdoor investments is a deer fence and when considered over time, it becomes very cost-effective.

Topics: high tensile wire, deer fence, galvanized, deer and wildlife fence

Animal Wire Mesh Fencing for Zoos, Parks and Homes

September 11, 2017 | by Debbie Page

Containment or 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

2" x 4" openings, 12.5 gauge mesh -- Large Birds, Dogs, Horses, and Zebras

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 over 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 and zebras and any other animal that requires a strong fence.

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

2" x 2" openings, 16 gauge mesh -- Birds and Small Animals

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.

Woven Deer and wildlife fence - Franklin Park Zoo

12.5 gauge high tensile wire -- Deer and Wildlife

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

Louis Page -- Resources for You

We source wire mesh fencing and aviary netting for zoos, parks and homes across North America. If you don't see something in this blog post, please check out our online shop or give us a call (800-225-0508) or email us (sales@LouisPage.com). We love animals and want to make sure both animals and humans stay safe and healthy for many years!

Topics: high tensile wire, deer fence, bird barrier, Zoos, 12.5 gauge

Uses for Welded Wire & Woven Mesh Fencing

February 27, 2017 | by Debbie Page

Welded Wire Mesh and Fence

What are welded wire meshes and fences?

As the name implies, welded wire mesh fences are made from wires that have been welded into a mesh
In most cases, the same gauge of wire is used throughout the roll
Welded joints are rigid and have little flexibility
Many welded products with larger openings are used as fencing on ranches, farms, in parks and on construction sites.
Mesh sizes can range from ½" x ½" up to 6" x 6"
Meshes with smaller openings are usually made with lighter gauge wires
These are mostly used for screening
Some specifications of welded meshes are vinyl coated

And how can you use them?

Welded fencing is ideal to use on flat terrain where little flexibility is necessary. Some examples of uses:

-Swimming pool fences

-Emu and Ostrich Fences

- Garden Fences

- Dog kennels

- Sheep and Goat Fences

-Railing safety panel inserts

Woven Wire Mesh and Fence

What are woven wire meshes and fences?

Fences made by weaving the wires into a mesh
Different gauge wires are sometimes used in the same roll
Woven joints are flexible yet very strong
There are a wide variety of mesh size openings available
Hexagonal netting (chicken wire), field and farm fence, deer and wildlife fence, and ornamental fence are some examples

And how are they used?

Woven wire fences are ideal in situations where the ground is uneven. The inherent flexibility allows the fence to adjust more easily to grade changes. Some examples of uses:

Keep these differences in mind when you are planning to install a fence. Which type do you want to use? Or maybe you need expert advice on what products to use?

Call us today for a free quote! 800-225-0508 or email sales@louispage.com

Topics: welded wire mesh, swimming pool fence, welded wire, garden fence, deer fence

Keep Bambi Out this Season

September 18, 2014 | by Duncan Page

Your Silent Neighbors

Deer are among the most adaptable animals on earth. More than 90 different species of deer have found homes all over the earth, in nearly every habitat imaginable, from dense forests and mountainous terrain to marshes and deserts. Though types of deer may be found in a variety of environments, deer typically inhabit the border zones that mark the transition from forests to meadows, where there are soft grass and other plants for them to eat and adequate cover for them to safely spend the night, relatively protected from predators.

With Keen Senses

With their keen sense of smell and hearing, they can react to danger speedily. Their eyes set at the sides of the head means efficient scanning all-around. Their long legs are highly-muscled, able to carry them at speeds up to 30 miles per hour. Their hooves at the front can be long and sharp and are used for defense; males also use antlers to fight off predators. To sound the alert, they stomp their hooves, and white-tailed deer raise their tales so the white spot behind enables the herd to follow more readily. Additionally, they can jump and swim when they are at threat.

Adapting

Undeniably, there is another creature that likes to live in nearly every type of habitat, all around the world. That creature is the human being. Deer have little aversion to living close to humans. In fact, since they are so adaptable, most deer are quite willing to help themselves to landscape and garden plants provided by humans. This is quite convenient for the deer, but much less desirable for the people who find their nice-looking yards destroyed by deer. People who have never witnessed it have difficulty understanding just how destructive and thorough a herd of deer can be.

Fencing is Best

If you'd like to avoid having deer in your yard, perhaps you could just design your yard to make it unattractive to them. The two biggest problems with this approach are that humans tend to enjoy the same types of landscaping that deer enjoy and deer will eat almost anything. If you choose to live in an area that is inhabited by deer and you want to keep your garden or yard safe, you will need to keep the deer out. You can protect a garden with fencing, which is the only really effective way to keep deer out.

And What Type of Fence?

There are many different styles of deer fence available. When you want to protect a garden with fencing, you will need to consider three characteristics of your new fence.

Materials

The two most common materials used in protective fencing are metal and plastic. Metal fencing tends to be more durable than plastic but is also more expensive. If you want to get the maximum life from your fence, consider using galvanized steel or welded mesh that has been coated in PVC. This has the added benefit of blending into your yard, making the fence less of an eyesore, particularly when using a black PVC coating.

Height

To protect your yard from deer, a six-foot fence is an absolute minimum, although an eight-foot fence is an ideal choice. An eight-foot fence may cost a little more, but it is better to install the right fence from the start than to have to rebuild your inadequate fence a few seasons later.

Appearance

This is the final characteristic to consider; it is also the point where you will have the most options. Deer fencing is available in an enormous variety of styles and colors, for everything from an austere, industrial look to an aesthetically pleasing look that blends in with the environment.

The deer in your area would like nothing better to sustain themselves on your landscape or garden. Do not let them; you can efficiently protect a garden with fencing, and keep the deer where they belong.