Molly Ayala
Raccoons can wreak havoc on gardens, flowers, shrubs, and crops, and they also pose a threat to small livestock and poultry. Electric fences are an effective way to keep raccoons out of your yard and garden, but their effectiveness depends on the specific circumstances. In this article, we will explore the different types of electric fences available for raccoon control and provide recommendations for spacing, voltage, and other factors to ensure the fence is effective. We will also discuss the limitations of electric fences and suggest supplemental measures that may be necessary for complete protection against raccoons.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fence post spacing | 5-12 feet apart |
| Wire spacing | 3-4 inches apart |
| Number of wires | 3 to 5 |
| Wire height | 4-6 inches above ground level |
| Voltage | 5,000 volts minimum |
| Power source | Plug-in or solar energizers |
| Netting | 8-inch holes or smaller |
| Accessories | Fence chargers, wires, plastic posts, connectors, repair kits |
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What You'll Learn
Electric fence kits
Zareba® offers a range of electric fence kits that are specifically designed for small animals like raccoons. Their kits include the essentials: fence chargers, wires, plastic posts, and connectors. The kits can cover a 625-square-foot area using one strand, and you can extend the charger's range up to one mile by adding more kits. Zareba® also recommends spacing wires 3-4 inches apart to prevent animals from digging under the fence line and using a low-impedance charger to increase energy output if vegetation is draining energy from the fence.
Another option for electric fence kits is Premier 1 Supplies' RaccoonNet®. This is a complete fence that promises to keep raccoons out of sweet corn, gardens, and silage bales. The kit includes a convenient reel system for rolling up and unwinding electric nets, fitting most nets up to 164' in length. Premier 1 Supplies also offers a repair kit for their electric net fences, which includes all the essentials to patch tears and holes quickly and securely.
When installing an electric fence to keep out raccoons, it's important to note that raccoons can climb, so make sure to remove anything near the siding of the fence that they can use to get into your garden. Additionally, keep the fence clear of vegetation to ensure that shocks are not prevented. Spacing one wire 4-6 inches above ground level is recommended.
For a small area, a hard fence with a net cover is recommended. High-gauge chicken wire/netting that is 3' tall has been reported to be 100% effective against raccoons. Solid (not poly wire) electric fence wire can be strung beginning 3 inches above the top of the chicken wire, with another wire at 6 inches, and a final wire at 9-10 inches. A good ground rod is essential, and the fence should be attached to the ground.
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Fence post spacing
Firstly, it is crucial to space the wires close to the ground to prevent raccoons from digging under the fence line. It is recommended to place one wire 4-6 inches above ground level. Raccoons are notorious for their ability to dig, so ensuring there are no gaps at the bottom of the fence is essential.
The spacing between fence posts should generally be between 5 and 12 feet, depending on the layout of your yard or garden. Closer spacing may be required if you need to prevent raccoons from squeezing through tight spaces. It is also important to consider the number of wires used. Using 3 to 5 wires will help prevent raccoons from jumping or hopping over the fence. These wires should be spaced 3-4 inches apart, or 8-10 inches apart for a 5-6 strand fence.
Additionally, consider the vegetation near the wiring. Raccoons are clever and adaptable, so ensuring that the wires are clear of any brush or vegetation is crucial. Vegetation can interfere with the electric current and reduce its effectiveness.
It is worth noting that electric fences may not always be a foolproof solution for deterring raccoons. They are known to be persistent and resourceful, so combining the electric fence with other measures, such as removing objects near the fence that they could climb on, may be necessary to ensure success.
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Wire spacing
When installing an electric fence to keep out raccoons, it is important to consider the wire spacing. The spacing of the wires will depend on the number of wires used and the height of the fence. It is recommended to use 3 to 5 wires, with the bottom wire placed about 4 to 6 inches above ground level. The remaining wires should be spaced 3 to 4 inches apart to prevent raccoons from digging under the fence. Overall, the fence should be at least 3 feet tall, with vertical struts every 12 inches and line posts every 12.5 feet.
It is also important to consider the spacing of the fence posts, which should be placed 5 to 12 feet apart, depending on the terrain. Additionally, the effectiveness of the electric fence depends on the ground conditions. Raccoons are known to dig underground to get under fences, so it is important to ensure that the soil is not loose and easily movable.
To further enhance the effectiveness of the fence, it is recommended to use a low-impedance charger, which increases its energy output as vegetation drains energy from the fence. Vegetation near the wiring should be cleared to prevent interference with the electric current.
While electric fences can be an effective deterrent against raccoons, they may not always be successful. Raccoons are clever and persistent, and they may find ways to circumvent the fence, such as climbing over it or using nearby objects to gain access. Therefore, it is important to regularly inspect the fence and its surroundings to ensure that there are no potential breaches.
Overall, proper wire spacing, attention to ground conditions, and the use of appropriate electric chargers are key factors in installing an effective electric fence to deter raccoons.
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Vegetation management
To prevent this, you can use plastic insulators, which are sold at feed stores and other places that sell hotline equipment. These can be placed on the posts or along the line where plants might touch. You can also use a Zareba® low-impedance fence charger, which increases its energy output as vegetation drains energy from the fence.
In addition, it is important to clear vegetation near the wiring to ensure that shocks are not prevented from happening. Raccoons are clever and agile, so it is important to remove anything near the siding of the fence that they can use to climb over.
If you are using netting, braiding instead of twisting the horizontals can increase the frequency of metal filaments on the outside of the strand. This exposes more metal on the outside of the strand, improving animal-to-conductor contact and resulting in a more memorable shock for the raccoon.
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Raccoon behaviour
Raccoons are nocturnal scavengers that can cause havoc in gardens, parks, and backyards. They are highly adaptable and resourceful, with dexterous front paws that allow them to manipulate objects, open doors, jars, and latches, and grasp food. Their diet includes fruits, nuts, insects, small mammals, and human food scraps. To protect gardens and crops from raccoons, an electric fence with specific features is recommended.
Raccoons are known for their intelligence and persistence, so an effective electric fence should have multiple wires closely spaced to prevent them from climbing or crawling through. The fence should be tall enough that raccoons cannot climb over it, and it may be necessary to bury wire mesh or chicken wire underground to prevent them from digging underneath. Vegetation near the wiring should be cleared to ensure the shocks are effective.
One suggestion is to use a 5- to 6-strand wire fence with wires spaced 8 to 10 inches apart. A Zareba® low-impedance charger with a 25+ mile rating and voltage output of at least 5,000 volts is recommended. This type of fence can be baited with peanut butter or molasses to attract feral hogs, delivering a safe but intense shock when they touch it. However, it is important to note that electric fencing may not always deter persistent and intelligent animals like raccoons.
Another approach involves using PVC pipe posts with chicken wire attached and angled outward underground to prevent raccoons from digging under the fence. The pipe should be non-conductive, with a small hole drilled near the bottom for drainage. Two sections of chicken wire are used, with voltage applied to the top section, creating a barrier that shocks raccoons as they climb.
Additionally, general raccoon prevention tips include securing trash can lids, removing fallen fruit and nuts from yards, and sealing potential access points to homes. Understanding raccoon behaviour and taking preventative measures can help protect gardens, crops, and homes from potential damage caused by these curious and opportunistic creatures.
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Frequently asked questions
An electric fence is a barrier that uses electric shocks to deter raccoons from entering a protected area. The shocks are designed to be gentle and condition raccoons not to return.
Zareba® offers complete lawn and garden electric fence kits that are effective and affordable. They also offer Solar Garden Protection kits. Premier1Supplies also offers RaccoonNet® 4/18/12 Electric Netting, which is a semi-permanent fence that can be moved seasonally.
It is important to ensure that raccoons cannot get around the fence by digging underneath it or climbing over it. This can be done by placing wires close to the ground and spacing them a few inches apart, as well as removing any objects near the fence that raccoons can climb on. Vegetation near the wiring should also be cleared to prevent interference with the shocks.
