Ask The Expert - Predator Electric Fencing

One of the first questions we ask our customers is; what are you trying to keep out or keep in?  If the answer is we need to keep a predator or pest out then we would ask which predator/pest and which animal you are trying to protect?  From there we can advise on the best electric fencing for the job.

In the UK the main predators or pests are foxes, badgers, rabbits, mink and otters and herons.  Each of these require different electric fencing.

Foxes

These guys are cunning.  They are opportunists!  If they find something to jump up on to get in to an enclosure they will use it. 

Poultry protection - For poultry protection from foxes we generally recommend either a 1.2m electric netting system or a three line fence to go around an existing pen.

Garden protection - Some people need to keep foxes out of their garden.  Foxes have a habit of finding a garden that they like to use as a toilet … if this is your garden you will want to keep them out!  We find that running a three line fence around the top of the wall or fencing deters the foxes.  As your fencing is likely to be high up and away from the ground you would need to run live and earth lines together to ensure the fox gets a zap as he is unlikely to be standing on the ground.

Check out our poultry kits and/or garden and pond kits
Or you may want to contact us 

Badgers

Badgers are protected and if you live next to a badger set there is not much you can do apart from try and keep them out of your garden or fields.

Garden/field protection – Both gardens and fields would be protected in a similar way.  A three or four line fence would be run around the perimeter of the area to be protected.  Badgers have poor eye sight and so if they bump into an electric fence they get a fright and this would deter them from coming back; in effect they change their habits.  An alternative would be to use 0.5 m electric netting.  This alternative is very effective but does require more regular maintence.  Netting comes in 50m lengths and can be joined together to create longer runs of protection.

Check out our badger kits and/or garden and pond kits
Or you may want to contact us 

Rabbits

Obviously rabbits are not predators but they are pests especially if you have just put in some new plants or crops and they come in at night and nibble all the fresh shoots!

Garden/field protection – again both gardens and fields can be protected in a similar way.  A line system made up of 6 -8 lines can be used to deter rabbits.  Again live and earth lines need to be used as if the rabbit is in the air he will not get a zap unless he touches the live and earth line together.  Netting can also be used – 0.5m or 0.75m electric netting is a very effective barrier to rabbits.  Electric netting needs to be angled out the way so that the rabbit gets a zap on its way towards it.  See diagram.

Check out our rabbit kits and/or garden and pond kits 
Or you may want to contact us 

Mink/Otters

Normally evening predators after fish in fish ponds or fishing lakes.  They are effective killers and can decimate a pond or lake of fish in an evening.

Ponds/lakes – To protect against mink and otters you will need a decent amount of power going into your fence.  For a pond we would recommend a live and earth line system running around the pond on either up right posts or over hanging arms.  For larger ponds or lakes it would be advisable to put up a permanent fence with chicken mesh buried into the ground and then run live lines around the outside of this fence on either stand off or ordinary ring insulators.

 Check out our garden and pond kits
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Herons

Brazen predators … they will attack any time of day or night.  They can decimate a Koi fish pond in days!

Ponds – We have had many customers over the years who have got in touch as they need to protect their prize Koi after a heron attack.  Any fish in a pond are vulnerable and once the heron knows it has found easy prey it will be back until there are none left.  A line system works best for a heron.  Generally around a pond you would need a live and earth system as the heron would not be earthed if standing on surrounding paving stones.  It is also advisable to get rid of anything the heron can land on in the pond.  Ideally you want the heron walking towards the pond and it will then get a zap off the live and earth fence.  This type of fencing can be run on over hanging arms or up right posts.

 Check out our garden and pond kits
Or you may want to contact us 

As you can see there are general rules to use when considering each predator but each setup has to be looked at on its individual intricacies.  The size of the area to be protected, if the area is exposed or sheltered, the type of animal to be protected and of course the budget allowed for the project.  You will find ready-made electric fencing kits on line or you can ask advice if your situation is more complex.  We are always here to help and devise the right protection for your situation.

Email us: [email protected]  or call us: 01620 860058