How to Install an Electric Fence for Groundhogs
Groundhogs can cause major damage in your garden and yard. They eat garden vegetables, will climb to reach the buds and leaves of trees, and will even eat eggs and baby birds if they find a nest. Once they discover a food source in your yard, they may decide to take up residence by digging burrows under buildings or bushes. Trying to control groundhogs can be frustrating, but installing an electric fence around the garden or another affected area may help keep them out. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Electric fence charger
- Grounding rods
- Electric polytape or wire
- Fiberglass fence rods with insulators
- Voltage meter
- Hammer
- Pliers
Instructions
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1
Place a rod at each corner of the area you're fencing. Hammer it about one foot into the ground.
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2
Place the rest of the rods eight to 12 feet apart around the perimeter.
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3
Put an insulator on each rod and push it down to six inches above the ground.
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4
Attach the polytape or wire to the insulator on one of the corner posts with a square knot.
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5
Thread the strand through the insulators on the other posts, keeping it tight as you go, and tie it off to the first insulator.
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6
Place the fence charger on a wooden post or wall near the fenced area.
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7
Attach the electric strand or a bare wire from the polytape to the charger according to manufacturer's directions.
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8
Install ground rods for the fence charger; the number of ground rods required will vary by model so follow the manufacturer's instructions.
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9
Use a digital voltage meter to test the line voltage and make sure the current your charger is producing meets the specifications set by the manufacturer.
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Tips & Warnings
To keep deer out as well as groundhogs, add an extra strand of wire 30 inches above the ground.
Place warning signs around the fenced area and consider other exclusion methods if children or pets are frequent visitors to your yard.
Check with local zoning regulations to make sure electric fencing is allowed in your area.
