Fence Tips For Blocking Small Garden Critters

by Jenn Smith January 22, 2020

Got a problem with rabbits, groundhogs, woodchucks or gophers? You're in luck. There are metal fences on the market that can reduce the number of pesky critters that are seen on landscapes. The best kind will be made from hexagonal shaped steel or welded wire and engulfed in PVC for a secondary layer of protection. Height isn't as important for critter control - a 2-3 foot high system will do; but the mesh must be metal otherwise rodents will chew through to the other side. Here are some fence tips when performing installation:

Skirting fence will not be as effective for keeping away rabbits, groundhogs and gophers; but will help to keep away deer and other animals. The problem will skirting the fence (and staking it down) is that these types of animals dig; so while it will help reduce the number of animals for some time, skirting will not block digging attempts in the long run.
Trenching fence is the better solution for blocking burrowing attempts. The PVC metal fence will need to go at least 12-24" into the ground for best results. This method will only block some attempts and will lessen the amount of agriculture damage in gardens.