- Electric deer fencing is durable and, for the most part, effective. But for those concerned with aesthetics, it does not usually blend well into the landscape. Often baited with peanut butter-covered pieces of aluminum foil wrapped around the wired posts, the heavy metal wires of the fence offer a shock to the deer who comes by for a taste, hopefully sending it headed for the hills never to return. Next in line would be the polypropylene mesh that comes in heavy duty black or "clear coated" that renders it almost invisible. Usually sold in 8-foot heights and capable of sealing off an entire perimeter, the clear polypropylene is aesthetically preferred by homeowners, but it is not as durable as the black. And the persistence of the deer can weaken the mesh as it ages. Finally, some people prefer to try their luck with sprays and scent repellents that keep the deer away because of the disdain that they have for either the smell or taste of the chemical. The deer repellent products also come in organic varieties that often consist of the urine of other predatory animals.
- If you are on a tight budget and the deer are diligently jumping your already existing chain link fence, privacy slats may be your answer. Economical and readily available, these vinyl strips that come in varying colors and slide in between the holes in your chain link fence have been known to intimidate deer. Deer like to know just what might be waiting for them on the other side. If you have the privacy slats installed, they can't see through the fence and will most likely move onto another area to feast.
- If you are mainly concerned with deer damage that is confined to a single tree in your yard, small garden or flower patch, a simple cage fabrication may be sufficient. Constructing the cage from steel posts that are buried far enough into the ground that they cannot be bent over, and attaching a mesh netting around the area, should do the trick.
- Electric deer fencing is often a popular initial choice for people that want to protect their property from deer damage. While this electric shock system can be effective, animal advocates worry that it may present an avoidable danger to not only the deer but other wildlife. Still, others worry that the electric fencing may also pose a danger to small children and domesticated pets that may wander into it. Some owners of electric deer fencing also note that some deer simply accept the shock and pass through the opening between the electric wires anyway.
- When deciding on a type of fencing that will keep deer from entering your property, keep in mind that the average deer can jump approximately 8 feet high. But what you may not realize is that even though a deer can jump high, he can't necessarily jump high and wide at the same time. So a fence that has additional width may be just as efficient as a fence with exceptional height; especially since deer are known to have very poor depth perception. For instance, a fence that is built at a 45-degree angle but only 5 feet high can easily confuse a deer in determining its depth.
Comments
JackLTrades said
on 2/11/2009 Deer and rabbits... They both wreck havoc on my trees