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Not sure where to post this question and can’t find a reliable answer: will barbed wire/barbed strips at the top of a fence prevent squirrels from getting in? Or can they jump from below them over and in? I will be fencing in a small area in the middle of my small front yard and came across that as an idea to keep the squirrels out. (My other idea is electrifying the fence, but that really feels like overkill and unsafe with a dog and little kids and me who will constantly forget it)
I can’t say for certain but I doubt a barbed wire would phase a squirrel or chipmunk. Also if the openings in the fence are anything like 2x4” rectangular opening they’ll just enter there.
Could you put the electric ring inside the fence to keep it pet and child safe?
The fencing I have is 2x2- can a squirrel fit through that small of a space? My squirrels are XL. We joked last fall that one was going to have a heart attack because it got so outrageously fat eating from my open compost.
Regarding electric, I have only done some preliminary research, so I don’t fully understand how to make it work. But, I was thinking about placing it on top. The fencing is plastic coated, but I don’t know if that really is protective enough? And, if it’s strung up top by the T posts, won’t it conduct down them?
The squirrels here would fit through 2x2 and do.
Usually, there’s standoff insulator that go on the T post so the electric wire is not conducting down the post.
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Thanks for the tip. Then, it would be safe strung up high (if that’s possible). Is there a brand you like? I was looking at zereba, but hadn’t gotten to the point of calling them and really figuring out what I needed/cost.
I hate to be negative, but from experience, other than reducing the population, not much can deter a squirrel.
They are extraordinarily resourceful and determined. They will find a way. I just don’t want you to waste your time and money.
I’m usually a “let nature do its thing” kinda guy, but our population was so huge that I did purchase an air rifle with a scope. Shockingly it was extremely effective. Our little dog is also a great garden guardian.
Since then we’ve moved. We have plenty of yard compared to our previous house. Now we’ve planted so much that I don’t mind sharing. Deer are the main issue now and we’ve solved that with a fence and tree cages for part of the year.
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Not really. I just grab whatever the local farm store carries.
I don’t think that’s being negative, it is being realistic. It’s just how it is.
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I appreciate hearing about everyone’s experiences. Since the area I will be fencing is relatively small, and I plant on keeping the trees all small, I was going to net all the trees. The electricity was a back up plan, same with the spikes idea. But, I might actually net over the whole area, since that’s possible. We’ll see what happens. It’s a next year problem; I’m just trying to come up with the best Plan A approach and source materials.
Cliff England wraps metal sheets around his tree trunks to foil squirrels and was happy with the results last time I checked. The trouble with these is that the squirrels could bypass them if you have fencing around the tree by climbing that fencing and jumping onto a branch. Cliff doesn’t fence his trees, so for him the sheets seem effective. You’d also have to adjust the sheets every so often to allow the trunk to grow in girth.
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Interesting concept. I don’t think it would work for me, but if someone was inclined with some roofing flashing would work well for that.
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