Deer will not only help themselves to your garden, they can carry and drop ticks in your yard. Taking action to keep them off of your property should be taken seriously when it’s a nightly occurrence, and when there are many deer passing through.

Lyme disease is spreading faster than ever, and it’s believed that a high percentage of ticks found on deer are carrying it. The effects can be devastating.

You can easily spray to kill any ticks in your yard, but this means poisoning your garden and landscape, and potentially posing a threat to other wildlife in the area, and even your pets. 

Is It Time To Install A Deer Fence?

It goes without saying that investing in deer fencing is expensive, but it’s the most effective way to keep deer out of your garden or yard.

For those living in an area that is densely populated with deer, sometimes it’s the only option that will work.

If you’ve tried hanging deer repellent pouches, planting deer resistant plants, and every other tip for keeping deer out of your yard to no avail, it may be time to install deer fences.

Balancing cost and quality is crucial when selecting horse fencing. Cost-effective options like electric tape or high-tensile wire can provide effective containment without breaking the bank.
Deer Fence Basics

• Fence Height: Fencing suitable for keeping deer out should be at least 8 feet tall so the deer cannot jump over it.
• Durability: Durability should always be at the forefront of your mind when deciding what type of materials to use for your deer fence. Decide where you can cut costs carefully.
• Gate: Don’t forget to add a gate so you can enter the area, unless it’s attached to your home with a back door entrance.
• Bottom of The Fence: Leave some slack or bury the bottom of the fencing a little bit so the deer can’t push through.

How To Install Wire-Mesh Fencing

To install wire-mesh fencing, you first need to stake out the perimeter so you’ll know how many posts to buy. You’ll need to dig holes 6 inches wide by 12 inches deep every 8 feet around the perimeter of the area.

You also need to decide if you’re going to use metal posts or wooden posts. It’s easier to fix wooden posts later, but they’re susceptible to rotting in the elements, and for that reason, we recommend using metal posts. It’s worth the extra effort.

Once you’ve decided on the type of posts and you know how many to set up, dig your holes around the perimeter of the area. To secure the posts in the ground, you need some quick-setting concrete.

You’ll have an easier time if you section off your mesh into sections. This may not be necessary if you have someone helping you install the fence, but it can still be helpful to cut the fencing. This way you’re not fumbling around with an entire roll of wire fence.

Cut it to fit between several posts, and stretch it across at least two posts. Once you’re sure it’s even along the top and bottom, secure the fencing into the posts. For wooden posts, you simply use wood screws at the top, bottom, and middle of the post to secure the fencing. 

For metal posts, you’ll need special ties along with a drill bit specifically made for metal installations. 

Continue this method all the way across the perimeter of the fencing, taking care that everything is straight, and leaving a little bit of slack so the deer aren’t able to push under the bottom of the fencing. Some may suggest burying the wire fencing under the ground a little bit to help keep other predators and pest animals from digging.