QA

How To Install Electric Fence For Deer

How high does an electric fence need to be for deer?

The minimum height recommended for woven wire deer fences is 15 feet high. In-line fence posts should be set into the ground 3 to 4 feet deep, with corner bracing posts set even deeper.

Can deer sense an electric fence?

Although deer can jump high and far, their eyes are located on the side of their head, giving them poor depth perception. A 3-dimensional electric fence will not serve as a “deer proof” fence, but can serve as an effective deer deterrent, and may be a less expensive fencing option.

How much does an electric deer fence cost?

Its installed cost of $4.00 to $6.00 per foot makes it economical only for high value crops under extreme deer pressure. High-tensile electric fences will exclude most deer and efficiently control deer damage if installed and maintained properly.

Does electric fence have to make a complete loop?

The answer is no, an electric fence DOES NOT have to make a complete loop. Creating a continuous loop will increase voltage on the fence line, because power is pushed in both directions. Essentially, with a continuous loop, voltage only has to travel half the distance.

Will 6 foot fence keep deer out?

There are many factors to consider when choosing deer proof fencing. Deer will jump over common garden fences. A deer proof garden fence should be at least 7 feet in height. For very small areas like a 25 x 25 garden area, 6 foot high fences can be adequate in some areas with light deer pressure.

Will fishing line deter deer?

A few strands of fishing line on stakes wrapped around the garden can be incredibly effective at deterring deer. A deer will spot the tasty produce in your garden, and start going for it. If their nose bumps into an obstacle that they can’t see, they’ll stop. Simple as that.

How many joules does it take to deter deer?

Deer require a bit more energy to deter, with outputs between . 10 and 1 joule being the best. Keep in mind that electric fences can be useless against a deer. However, many can jump 6-foot-high fences with ease, in which case the addition of a deer repellent might help.

How many volts does it take to keep a deer out?

Generally speaking your fence will need to run at 5,000-6,000 volts for deer, which you can check using your volt meter. Best results will come from a volt meter made by the same manufacturer as the energizer.

Is an electric fence expensive to run?

The typical Zareba® fence charger uses about 33 watts per day. So, 33 watts multiplied by 31 days is 1,023. Divide that by 1,000 to get 1.023 kilowatt hours per month. The U.S. average cost of a kilowatt hour is 12 cents.

Do deer fences work?

Deer do not like to jump into enclosed spaces where they feel trapped. Because of this, a double fence can be an effective tool to prevent deer damage in the garden. The inner fence layer can be made of boxwire, chicken wire, wire lines, or another less expensive material, if you want to save some money.

How many grounding rods do I need for an electric fence?

In fact, the majority of electrical fence systems will actually require at least three grounding rods. These rods should be about 10 feet apart and should be placed at the start of the fence.

What happens if you don’t ground an electric fence?

When an animal comes in contact with an electric fence, a pulse travels from the fence, through the animal and into the soil. Via the soil moisture, this pulse is captured by the ground system and returned to the energizer. Without proper grounding, the fence’s electrical circuit can not be completed.

How far apart should ground rods be for electric fence?

A general rule is to install a minimum of 3 feet of ground rod per joule of output capacity. A 15 joule fence charger will require a minimum of 45 feet of ground rod. These rods must be installed at least 10 feet apart from each other.

Will deer jump a fence they can’t see through?

Deer may be able to jump high, but not both high and over a distance. So a fence may not be as high, perhaps six feet, but slanted outward. Out of sight, out of mind, applies to deer with solid wooden fences, or ones with overlapping slats they can’t see through.

What smells do deer hate?

Deer have a heightened sense of smell, which they use to effectively find food. You can take advantage of this trait and repel deer by using smells they dislike, such as marigolds, putrescent egg solids, mint, wolf urine, tansy, garlic, thyme, oregano, sage, rosemary, and lavender.

Does Irish Spring soap repel deer?

Irish Spring soap repels mammal pests, such as mice, rabbit and deer. Irish Spring soap does not always eliminate pests completely , but can be a helpful tool to reduce the rate of attack on plants.

What kind of line do you use for deer fence?

It’s important to use only 30-lb. test line; anything lower than that and the deer have a tendency to break the line when they brush up or lean against it, and anything over that, they can see. This is also why you don’t want to use any colored or braided line; it’s easier for the deer to see it.

Will electric fence keep raccoons out?

Ordinary fences will not keep raccoons from gardens or yards, as the animals will either dig under or climb over them. A low, two-wire electric fence can be very effective for excluding raccoons from sweet corn, melons, and other highly preferred crops.

Can I put an electric fence around my garden?

Can you put electric fencing in a garden? We’re frequently asked, “Can I put an electric fence in my garden?”, to which the answer is “yes”. This type of fencing is being used in towns and cities to keep out foxes and badgers and to protect lawns, and prized fruit and veg from other busy visitors.

How do I keep deer out of my garden without a fence?

Sprinkle Irish Spring soap Another option for keeping deer out of your garden without a fence is Irish Spring soap. (I haven’t tried this, but I hear that it works really well!) Deer don’t like the “fresh clean” smell of Irish Spring (another one of those “sense of smell” deterrents).