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Fencing For Pests: Best Options To Keep Pests Out

Posted on February 24, 2022

When you work hard to keep your garden looking good, the last thing you need is wild animals and pests tramping through your yard and tearing up your hard work. One of the best ways to keep these pests out of your yard is to install fencing. But, when there are so many different options on the market, how do you know what the right choice is for you? We've compiled a list of the most popular fencing options for pests and the advantages and disadvantages of each type.

What To Keep In Mind When Choosing A Fence

Picking a fence is much easier when you understand what types of pests you're keeping out of your garden. For example, you'll want a different type of fencing if you deal with deers rather than smaller pests like squirrels or rabbits.

Additionally, most pests that ravage your garden are looking for food. Remember that if they can see food, they'll be much more motivated to try and tear up your fence. Solid fences are a great option to block the visual line of your garden and hide the fact that there are food sources inside your yard.

Electric Fencing

Electric fencing is a more expensive choice for fencing, as it requires power and maintenance, but it can be highly effective for keeping pests out. Once you've installed the fence, make sure there isn't any vegetation touching the fence to avoid reducing the charge or grounding it out. Animals are less likely to mess with the fence if they know there's a charge on it, so once you've installed the fence, baiting it with some peanut butter can encourage animals to try to touch the fence and discourage them from messing with it again.

This isn't a very humane way to deal with your pest issues, and many people feel hesitant to install an electric fence despite its efficacy. Keep reading for other fencing options to solve your pest problem.

Solid Fencing

As mentioned above, most pests will only bother your garden if they can see a food source in it. Having a solid fence can help block their line of sight, and if they can't see a food source, they'll feel less motivated to mess with your fence. Solid fences aren't as effective as electric fences but are a more humane option to keep pests away from your plants.

Chicken Wire Fence

Chicken wire fencing is a great fencing option for rabbits. You'll want to surround your garden and put at least two feet of wire so the rabbits can't jump over it. Additionally, because rabbits can burrow, you'll need to make sure to curve the chicken wire at a 90-degree angle a couple of inches underneath the ground.

Wire Mesh Fence

If you're struggling with dogs and cats getting into your plants and destroying them, putting up a wire mesh fence with strong posts can help discourage them from getting into your garden. Make sure it's about three feet tall to prevent cats from trying to jump over your fence, and similarly to the chicken wire fence, make sure you tuck some of the wire under and bury it so dogs can't dig under your fence.

Fencing For Other Pests

Sometimes the pests you're dealing with require specialized fencing. For example, if you're struggling with deers in your yard. For deers specifically, you'll want to build a high fence that they can't jump over. Building your fence at an angle can also deter them from trying to jump over it. Make sure your fence is also snug against the ground, as deer have been known to wiggle under fences if there's enough room.

If you've tried your hand at DIYing your fences and still have problems, make sure to contact a pest control professional to help with your pest issue. We're more than happy to take a look at your garden and current pest situation and offer some solutions to keep them away from your prized plants.

Are you looking to keep pests out of your garden? Contact Martin's Pest Control for pest control in the Calgary and Airdrie areas. We're here to help keep your garden safe.