Do it Yourself: Electric Garden Fences for Raccoons
- If you already have a fence, check out the components that make up the fence and how tall it is. You can buy an electrical fence kit or you can buy all the elements separately. The kits come with 27-in. posts so if you already have a fence, you will not need a new one.
If you have a chain link or wooden fence and you want to put electrical wires at the top of the fence, consider buying an insulator that you can attach to your fence. - Choose the charger and two or three wires suitable for your type of fence; one that is made specifically for gardens. Lay the first wire about 2 in. above the ground on the outside of the fence, and the second 2 to 3 in. on the other side of the fence. You may need a third higher wire as well.
The higher wire should on the inside of the fence and should be about the width of the insulator away from the lower wire so that when the raccoon tries to avoid one wire, it will come into contact with another wire. Hitting two wires at one time is usually frightening enough to keep it away from the garden for good. - Make sure the electrical charge is not constant but is released in pulses so birds won't be harmed. Look for other routes that the raccoon might take to get over the fence, including tree branches.
If you use a kit, closely follow the instructions. When working with metal fences, there are other considerations, such as keeping the electrical wire away from the fence itself and not using a grounding wire. Research before installing an electric garden fence.
