Any ideas for a deer fence?
by
Jeff C
+4
Just wanting to know your ideas of what I could use for a deer fence? I'm looking for something I can place in front of my garden bed that will wrap around the house. Something that's not all wood, 8 feet tall and such. I was thinking of using Wooden Tomato stakes and drilling about three or 5 holes in them to place fishing line through. That way, I could have a fence but at the same time, it wouldn't be an eye sore against the house and we'd all be able to still see the plants. A neighbor down the street uses small metal poles with about three strands of wires forming a makeshift fence and the deer never eat his plants. Then again, I'm not sure if it's electric or not.
7 answers
-
Jeff, I'm afraid a fence such as you described would have almost no effect on deer. The fence really needs to be 8 feet tall, or perhaps slightly lower if it is angled outward at a 45-degree angle. The other option for less height is a double row of fencing, about 4 feet apart. See these guidelines from the University of Vermont Extension Department: http://pss.uvm.edu/ppp/articles/deerfences.html
Douglas Hunt
on Apr 02, 2013
-
The thing is if you have a hard time seeing the fence. So will the deer, I think a fish line rig would be somewhat of a tangle fence that they would get caught in, and then fight their way out pretty much tearing every thing out in the process. Motion sensor sprinklers might help too.
KMS Woodworks
on Apr 02, 2013
-
PVC pipe drilled and pounded into the ground can be used as stakes. Paint green to blend in. Then using copper coated electrical fence wire run these wires about every 10 inches apart through the holes you drilled in the pipes. Wider as you get over the top of the shrubs and closer together as you get closer to the ground so they do not squeeze their heads through to take bites out of shrubs. Install a solar powered fencer and your done. If the fence is close to the house the deer will not jump into a small area, but if the fence and shrubs are far enough away for them to hop over they will. This is why Douglas Hunt suggested mounting the fence at a 45 degree angle. Deer do not jump long distances unless at a full run. They sort of hop over. And with angle they cannot clear the distance of a fence installed at an angle.
Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com
on Apr 02, 2013
-
So this is what I had in mind regarding a makeshift deer fence. I took garden stakes and drilled holes through them, then used fencing wire to create the fence. I need to add two more wires near the too and tighten the lower wires but I'm hoping the proximity to the house limits them from jumping over the fence. I wonder if I'm just wasting my time and money here.
Jeff C
on Apr 14, 2013
-
What you did should be ok as far as jumping, then need room to jump into the space, but the wood is not a great idea as if it gets wet it will short out the power loop. You should use PVC pipe 3/4 inch or one inch would be fine. Place the wire about 10 inches apart and gradually increase this space up to at least 4 feet high or they will reach right over the top. If the fence was tilted outward the height of the fence can be reduced. Over all this should work fine.
Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com
on Apr 14, 2013
-
Ill keep that in mind. This is not an electrical fence but just a deterrent. Hoping to avoid the use of electricity
Jeff C
on Apr 15, 2013
-
if you do not have a fence zapper installed, they will push right through it. Then can sense if the fence is pulsing or not. They simply do not look at it they test it. Horses are the same. They put their nose just close enough to sense the voltage, if its off they push into it to get the grass on the other side. Deer are no different. You can get good quality fence chargers at tractor supply, or any horse and most feed supply places. Or simply go on the internet and shop away.
Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com
on Apr 15, 2013
Sign Up to Answer
Suggested Project Book
