Therefore, she has a great perspective on the benefits and challenges of gardening under immensely different conditions. An 8-foot-tall NON-electric, woven-wire or solid fence is 100 percent effective at excluding deer. We installed these approximately six feet apart. Second, because we have two different types of fencing, we needed two different insulators. Never touch an electric fence with your head, neck or upper torso, especially if the ground is moist. The .10 joule charger plugs into a standard 110-volt outlet in a garage or a barn to supply constant power for fences on smaller properties. At this point, you have completed the following: Now, you are ready to energize the wire. Though many units are weather resistant, manufacturers often suggest installing their units indoors to protect them from rain and snow, but this is often impractical. Visit the web site below for directions on how to install a garden fence kit. I have zero tolerance for deer pressure and this has kept them out for the 10 years I have used it. How many corners are there around the perimeter of the garden (if there is an existing fence)? It has two mounting holes for screwing to a wall or post as well as two terminals in the front for tying the system together. I check the fence every night on my evening patrol. When slugs touch the fence, their moist skin sets up a galvanic action between the copper mesh and the soil, and they get a shock. What wildlife are you trying to keep out of the garden? Both are nocturnal and are difficult to remove from the trap in daylight. Tomash photo. I will describe a few that have worked consistently over 30 years. The size of the area that needs to be properly electrified is a primary factor for choosing the best electric fence charger. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. It also has a built-in light that indicates when the fence is working properly. We have found the single wire solar powered fence to be a good deterrent. In our research, the recommended height to keep groundhogs out of the garden is six inches. While there are many fence materials that can help, electric fences can deter these pests in another way. However, many can jump 6-foot-high fences with ease, in which case the addition of a. I want to 'keep it simple' and give you as much information, in one place, to get started or increase your knowledge in organic gardening. Just set the traps and place the cover over them. www.fedcoseeds.com/ogs/search.php?item=9076&search=Deer-X-fencing. ) Some traps kill animals; others trap them alive (Havahart traps). It also has a built-in on-off switch that lights to indicate that the fence is operating properly. I get by with one chipmunk-squirrel size and one raccoon-woodchuck size. If you have other pests in your garden, check out this post on Managing garden pests with an integrated approach. They are very sensitive, easy to empty and reset with one hand, and reasonably priced. A terminal strip makes it easier to disconnect the solar panel from the circuits (the pink terminals on the white and red wires). I use the traps mostly in the fall, when rodent populations surge. By continuing to browse this site you're agreeing to our. Sample codes for this fence are 12/48/3 or 19/68/3. Some solar-powered electric fence chargers do feature battery gauges. This electric fence charger can energize fences up to two miles long, offering plenty of coverage for multiple laps around a small property. If youre unable to install a charger indoors, many chargers have built-in brackets so they can be installed on a post. Therefore, you will need to secure the wire to the other end of the gate handle to complete the process. We have used a short fence similar to that described above to protect a small kitchen garden, and nothing bothers the succulent lettuces in it, not even deer that could easily step over the fence. Finally, we chose several units that work with any type of electric fencing and some that work best with steel as opposed to poly wires. First, you need to determine the height of the insulators from the ground. Premier and Wellscroft sell kits (PRS 50 and PRS 100, page 77) and separate pieces. Digging a five-foot-deep hole took a few days. In this post, I share our experience with how to install a solar-powered fence to keep groundhogs out of the garden. So, for example, a Versanet fence excludes most wildlife (raccoons, woodchucks, opossums, rabbits, dogs, cats, skunks and birds that dont fly much, such as wild turkeys). Setting up a solar charger can be a hassle, as it can become blocked by grass on the ground or hard to position for ideal sunlight. The easiest way to understand joules is the higher the number of joules, the more power the fence has. When setting the fence up, avoid getting a hot wire caught in the metal pole, or you will cripple the fence. In 30 years, my electric fences have been breached twice by startled animals that got their horns snagged in the mesh, but I have never lost a plant to critters bigger than a small rodent despite some intense pest pressures. The simplest way to control a variety of predators is to pick a fence with closer spaced electrified wires (hot wires) on the bottom and more widely spaced wires at the top. Solar units are typically the most expensive option, but theyre also the easiest to set up. All Rights Reserved. The current cost of the 42B is $244, but most people can get by with a smaller and cheaper energizer. Each battery terminal has two connectors, one from the voltage regulator (charge controller) and one going to the fence energizer power in and power out. If you use a battery-powered energizer, check the fluid level in the battery at least once or twice per season. Some people put mulch or plastic (or chemicals ugh!) Third, turn on the solar charger and test the charge on the fence using the electric fence tester. Patrol the fence regularly, look for vegetation and listen for the zap of a dead short. Essentially, the higher the joules, the more powerful the device. Its also a helpful method for remote areas without electricity. This basket contains both m, NATURAL SWEET XR F1 SWEET CORN. For complete information on using electric fences with deer, see the 2010 Premier/Wellscroft catalog (page 58). I empty them over a bare spot of ground; the dead rodent generally disappears overnight, feeding some deserving owl or bobcat. They use the grids alternating current (AC) to push energy through the fence wires. Their range is similar to a DC option. Electric fencing, made of plastic with strands of stainless steel woven in, is very fast to set up, easy to move and maintain, and reasonably priced over its 10-year life span. We solved this problem by laying down a 1 foot wide strip of cardboard around the perimeter of the fence. My eye is drawn to the plants, not the barrier. It actually charges the fence with electric current. Check the traps daily; they work only when they are unoccupied. Most modern units are low-impedance, which means they have plenty of power to correct a nosy animal, but theyre safe for fences in areas that might see plant overgrowth. I have a lot of deer around that are not deterred by my old sleepy dog. www.leevalley.com/garden/page.aspx?c=2&cat=2,51555,51241&p=51241. Most energizers have a light that flashes every time they send out a pulse of electricity. If the corn is coming in, leave the fence on and the gate closed unless you are actually inside the garden. A much cheaper option is to string a regular fence wire on insulators attached to tall poles to go from the 110 VAC energizer to the fence. At first I was dis, The Monarch Butterfly was listed as an endangered. From this point, wrap the wire around the entire fence circumference securing into the pre-installed insulators. Find it or it will drain the battery and reduce the voltage (normally between 3000-5000 v) in the fence to an ineffective level. Extremely dry soil wont conduct electricity as well as moist soil, so there is a chance that your fence wont work optimally in dry areas. Second, cut and install another length of ground wire long enough to travel from the fence wire over to the positive charge on the solar charger. Use the ruler to measure the six-inch distance from the ground before installing the insulator. One rod-post insulator was installed on each steel fence post. In cold frames and under row covers, you do not need to cover the traps; just tuck them among the vegetables, as many as one trap per 2 square feet. Cats and dogs quickly learn to nose their way under it. When it comes to finding an electric fence charger that produces a strong jolt around large properties, its hard to beat Zarebas AC-Powered Fence Charger. The cleaner the fence, the better the deterrence. For example, keeping deer, hogs, and small animals out of the fenced-in area might require a 5- or 6-foot fence with four sets of wire. Before installing an electric fence, know which predator you want to exclude and how determined it is. Make sure they cannot slime their way under the fence. If you still have some questions about the best electric fence charger, this section is for you. These gauges indicate how much energy is in the battery so youll be able to plan to recharge your battery when its low. The Parmak also has a massive range, covering up to 25 linear miles of wire, offering the ability to run several lines around the yards perimeter. Electric fences are relatively safe but require precautions. The really big trap will catch the smaller animals as well as long as they cant wiggle through the holes formed by the wire. Please check your email to confirm subscription. Pay attention to the fence when it is healthy and you can judge when it needs maintenance. Click on products MORE INFO button to explore, or read more, Solar Fence Charger 12 Volt 2 Joule/Free Lightning Diverter, Gallagher S12 Solar Electric Fence Charger | Powers Up to 4 Miles / 18 Acres of Fence | Solar Lithium Technology, 0.12 Stored Joule Energizer | Built-in Earthing | Portable and Super Tough, Zareba ESP30M-Z 30-Mile Solar-Powered Low-Impedance Electric Fence Charger, Silver Streak Fence Charger Model 200 12 Volt 2 Joule 20 Mile/Free Lightning Diverter, Gallagher S6 Solar Electric Fence Charger | Protect Your Backyard and Pets | Solar Lithium Technology, 0.06 Stored Joule Energizer | Unique Post Mounting System | Portable and Super Tough, Dare Products DS 20 3 Acre Solar Energizer, Get exclusive articles, recommendations, shopping tips, and sales alerts, Sign up for our newsletter to receive weekly recommendations about seasonal and trendy products. Every now and then a zucchini gets away from you. Predators and determined animals like foxes, coyotes, wild boars, and bears require a heavy hand. Note: Not to be used for deer. We quickly deployed a deterrent that had worked in previous years: a flat, braided copper mesh that looks like a flattened Chore Boy or the armor that knights called mail. It comes in 100-foot rolls of a flattened tube from Lee Valley for $0.42/foot (copper blocker, Item # SS405 or SS407, www.leevalley.com/). Turkeys usually walk around the fence unless you frighten them. The 12/48/3 works well for our bigger gardens. Since some chargers can power fences up to 75 miles, its likely that theres a charger suitable for your property. Generally, people set up these chargers inside a garage or a barn and then run the wires to the fenced-in area. At each insulator, wrap the wire around the plastic part of the insulator once. Make sure the solar charger is in the off position. But, its important to remember that the power has to be on for these chargers to work. Getting tangled in the fence and being unable to reach the switch can be very unpleasant. For a two-mile charger, this setup can run a maximum linear distance of half a mile. Copper Blocker 5-inch by 100-foot flattened copper mesh tube Forth, the current travels through the earth back to the ground rod. When the corn is coming in or the cabbage transplants just went out, I have trouble sleeping unless I know my babies are safe and wont be devoured in the night by hungry herbivores. It mounts on top of a fence post, and it swivels 360 degrees, allowing installers to position it perfectly the first time. The Premier catalog (p. 58) summarizes managing deer behavior with electric fence. Managing garden pests with an integrated approach, Backwood Homes Magazine Solar Powered Electric Fence, University of Maine Cooperative Extension Electric Fence Design, The romantic language of plants, 15 plants that symbolize love, How to successfully grow spinach in your garden, Six wonderful groundcovers to think about. Going with a higher-output, higher-joule fence is better in these situations. If leaders acted more like gardeners, then associates would be more motivated and organizations would thrive. Rolls of fence generally come in two or three lengths. A 40-watt solar panel on top of a homemade battery/charge controller box with the fence energizer on the right hand side. The stored energy is what powers the fence. For example, talk directly to the solar-charger companies. An important consideration when using the insulators is what to do when you encounter a corner. The simple joy of being able to pick fresh flowers, Yesterdays harvest. A cheaper alternative that gives some protection from low to moderate deer pressure is a black polypropylene netting called Deer-X. For a reliable electric fence charger, we recommend the Parmak 12-Volt Fence Charger as its capable of covering a large or small area, includes a battery, and has a built-in performance meter to monitor the fence status. If theres a power outage or if a breaker trips, there wont be any current flowing through the fence to keep livestock in or pests out. www.leevalley.com/garden/page.aspx?c=2&cat=2,51555,51241&p=51241. Instead of digging under the fence, they climbed over the fence. Finally, the last option was to install a solar-powered fence to keep groundhogs out of the garden. Installed the energized wire around the circumference of your garden, Placed your ground rod at least 5-6 feet deep in the ground. They smell the peanut butter, touch their tongue to the foil and get a memorable shock. If you need an electric fence for smaller animals, opt for the Patriot PE2 Electric Fence Energizer. After you have installed the wire around the fence, you will find yourself back at the other side of the gate. Dont frighten them. If you dont, you can ruin the charge controller by exceeding its voltage rating. Keep vegetation from growing up to and touching the energized wire. In the fall roll the fence up carefully so that the poles are all together and the folds of fence webbing are stacked neatly on each other; then roll the webbing around the poles and tie with twine. Its a collection of answers to some of the most common questions about electric fence chargers. If you have 110 VAC power near the fence, you can use that type of charger, which may be a little cheaper and avoids the cost of the battery and charging equipment. If you are handy, you can buy the separate pieces and hook them together as shown in the accompanying sketch or buy a kit that includes everything you need. Russell Libby Agricultural Scholar Awards. Dont walk barefoot around these fences. There are electric fence chargers that plug directly into the electric grid feeding a property. By clicking on the products below, we may receive a commission at no cost to you. Shopping for the best electric fence charger can be challenging, but the following list can help. Stretch the wire over to the back end of the gate handle. Apparently the rats were small enough to slip through the bottom wires of the electric fence. This AC-powered charger plugs into a standard outlet in a house, a garage, or a barn, producing .1 joule of energy to keep smaller pests out. We hung three signs around the fence (the signs came in a package of three). The cover is just a bottomless box with two entrances (one on each end) large enough for the rodent to enter and tall enough not to interfere with the trap action. The circumference of the steel fence posts was too large for the included twisting clamp to hold the insulator on the fence. First, unpack the solar charger. By Tom Scalisi | Updated Jun 27, 2022 3:00 PM.