Although you may think of all deer like Bambi, in reality, they’re considered pests. Not only are deer notorious for eating and wreaking havoc on gardens and backyards, but they also can carry dangerous ticks that can cause Lyme disease. The best way to prevent your yard from being destroyed by deer or exposed to the illnesses they carry is by adding a fence.
Of course, when contending with deer, your standard privacy fence or decorative fence won’t cut it. When shopping for a deer fence you need to consider:
Fence Height: Deer can jump incredibly high, so your fence needs to be tall enough that they can’t get over it. Typically deer can jump just under 8 feet in the air, so you should plan on your fence being around 8 feet tall or higher.
Need for Slack: Because deer will try to dig and push underneath your fence it needs to have some slack to it. For example, if you select a wire mesh fence, you should extend the wire mesh and allow it to spill out over the ground in front of the fence and then pin the excess down with stakes. This will ensure there are no gaps between the fence and the ground. Also, deers like to push fences so the extra slack will allow them to push the mess and block them from coming in.
Fence Repair & Maintenance: It’s important to keep in mind the costs when repairing and maintaining a deer fence. Barriers are ineffective in deer-proofing and need to be repaired immediately if they have been damaged by a breach. The animals are smart enough find this weakness, so quick attention is necessary for barrier-style fences!
Pests: If you want to keep rabbits, raccoons and other small mammals from infesting your garden or yard then barrier-style fencing is for you. The openings in this type of design are too wide for pests like rats which means that they cannot get through smoothly.
Durability: To make your deer fence last as long and strong, choose one with an extra protective coating like galvanized or UV-protected metal.
Gates: When you’re finished with the fence, make sure to install entry gates or other means of entering and exiting so that deer don’t get into your yard.
There are two main fencing types that will cover the height needed as well as the need for slack: metal-mesh and polypropylene-mesh fencing.
Metal-Mesh Fencing
Metal mesh, also known as wire mesh fencing is made of heavy-gauge metal and attached to posts. It is the more expensive of the two options and is incredibly durable. You can choose to leave the mesh in its natural state, or coat it with black polyethylene to make it look nearly invisible. It’s important to note that if you decide you want the coated mesh, be prepared to pay a little more.
Polypropylene-Mesh Fencing
Like wire mesh fencing, a polypropylene mesh fence is simply created by attaching the mesh to a pole in the ground. Because polypropylene isn’t as durable as metal mesh, this fencing type is less expensive. In addition, if aesthetics are important to you, this mesh variation is nearly invisible which will allow you to enjoy uninterrupted views of your landscape. Make sure that if you select this fencing type that you choose one that has a high breaking load so that if a deer attempts to get through your fence, it won’t break.
Both deer fence variations will work effectively to keep deer out of your property, so your selection will most likely be determined by your budget. No matter the type, whether it’s wood, vinyl, or chain-link, Austin’s leading fence builder Sierra Fence will be able to customize your fence to exactly fit your needs. Give us a call today to discuss your project and get started on creating the perfect fence for your property!
