Wildlife-friendly fencing isn’t usually your first thought when you’re developing a plan to protect your property or garden. Typically, barriers are meant to keep hungry critters from noshing on your spring greenery.
Living in an established city, away from wildland or forested areas, you might only have rabbits, squirrels, and birds to contend with. However, in many parts of the US, there are larger animals in the ecosystem.
Creating wildlife-friendly fences helps preserve the balance in your local area. Protecting your gardens and pets without disrupting nature strikes a delicate balance. Using the right materials and designs, you can help promote biodiversity in your region, which is the subject we’re exploring today.
We’ll examine the method for creating this type of barrier, as well as common materials and some non-fence barriers.
Protecting your property from animal damage is necessary in many parts of the country. City dwellers in some regions may see smaller pests, while in urban areas in the Mountain West, deer are familiar visitors.
In less-populated areas, your property may be important for native creatures. Even if animals aren’t relying on your tomato plants, they may pass through on the way to other food sources.
Birds and larger animals (deer, antelope, elk) can be injured or killed by fencing designs that aren’t wildlife-friendly. Animals and birds on the move don’t always see new fencing, and that can lead to their death and time-consuming fence replacement. Properly deployed, fencing products like barbed wire can protect your property without harming local animal populations.
To say this is a fraught subject is an understatement. Individual land users have specific fencing needs. Ranchers and farmers necessarily need to keep large animals away from herds and crops.
Fencing designed to keep animals out without causing physical harm is important in the wider conversation. Beyond causing injury, solid barriers can separate parents from their young and disrupt pathways to food and water sources.
Where possible, wildlife-friendly fencing preserves access to vital food and water and migration patterns.
Groups like the Sustainable Development Code and others work with local governments to develop guidelines for homeowners and landowners. Their teams research local wildlife and migratory patterns to ensure that human development doesn’t intrude on animals more than necessary.
Taking them into consideration can ensure your private spaces can thrive in harmony with the local ecosystem.
No matter how established your area, animals will likely be impacted by your fence plans. Taking a strategic approach ensures you have the proper barrier for your situation.
When developing your wildlife-friendly fencing plan, you’ll first need knowledge. Learn about what species live in your area and how your property affects migratory patterns. You can use local government resources when determining local creatures or do it yourself.
To begin this process independently, you’ll have to pay attention to animal signs around your property. Look for spoor or droppings, animal tracks in snow or muddy areas, and what you can see around dawn and dusk. Wildlife cameras may be necessary if you’re dealing with a larger plot of land.
Once you’ve got an idea of what animals live and move through your property, designing a wildlife-friendly fence is a simple process.
Protecting a smaller area like a garden, chicken coop, or beehive doesn’t always require fencing off a larger area. Placing fencing only around the area you’re trying to protect can be the best way to protect wildlife. Known as exclusion fencing, it keeps wildlife out of small areas with higher fencing that won’t disrupt their movement.
Protecting your garden or chicken coop can also include electric fencing. Many predators are unwilling to cross an electrified barrier. Working with local agencies can make this a simple process.
Another significant area of consideration comes down to fence height, both top and bottom. If you don’t want larger wildlife on your land, a fence height between six to eight feet is typical. Especially in areas where bovine tuberculosis is a concern, higher deer fencing is a necessary part of the landowner’s defense.
To keep wild animals out, fences must be high enough because mature animals typically leap over fencing that’s too low. Barbed wire or sharp pickets can cause devastating injuries if they’re not able to clear the fence. Further, young animals can’t jump and often must go underneath a bottom wire instead.
Best practices for wildlife-friendly fencing suggest a top height of no more than 40-42 inches and a bottom line height of no less than 16 inches. Vertical wires should also be 16 inches apart so animals that get tangled can quickly free themselves and move on.
However, if you don’t want these animals on your property at all, higher is better.
Along with the height and spacing, you’ll want to consider alternatives to barbed wire for the tops and bottoms of your fencing.
Wood top rails are a safe choice as they won’t entangle or injure animals that attempt to jump over. A smooth bottom wire allows young or smaller animals to pass through without injury. If you incorporate barbed wire as infill, flag it so it’s visible to animals and birds.
Welded wire fencing is an excellent choice for larger areas due to its rigidity and strength. Grip-Rite® offers several heights to meet your specific needs. Our galvanized wire fencing is ideal, whether keeping rabbits away or preventing deer from entering.
Woven wire fencing products, commonly known as chicken wire, aviary netting, and poultry netting, are better for small enclosures. Strong and flexible, they’re the perfect material for building animal pens or garden enclosures. They’re also easy to install and make for a quick weekend warrior project.
Hardware cloth, a welded wire product, is ideal for keeping smaller pests away. Designed with smaller openings, from ⅛ in. to ½ in., you’ll typically see it deployed where mice, squirrels, and raccoons are common. Many builders use it as a soffit cover to keep attics pest-free.
Protecting your garden from pests doesn’t always require a fence. Barriers might disrupt the visual flow of your landscaping design or keep you from tending to your veggies. We’ve got a few simple ways to keep away predators without fencing.
It’s always a good idea to measure your space before purchasing materials. Remember that most fencing materials come in rolls, and you might have some leftovers when you’ve completed your project. Instead of leaving aviary netting rolled up in the corner of your garage, try one of these other uses.
If you’re trying any of these projects with younger helpers, be aware that wire edges can be sharp. To protect delicate fingers, trim or bend them over using pliers.
Wildlife-friendly fencing means different things depending on your situation. Keeping animals safely out of your property or allowing controlled access can help make you a good neighbor. Grip-Rite® fencing products can help you execute your fencing plan, regardless of your approach.
Find out where to purchase Grip-Rite® fencing products with our Where to Buy tool. It’s the best way to find the products you need at a store near you.
