Deer fencing can be a necessary component to protect your garden, keep ticks at bay, and prevent deer from entering your yard. While it’s possible to plant deer-resistant shrubs and perennials that don’t attract deer, it’s not always a guarantee that deer won’t visit your outdoor space—and along with stepping on your plants, they can even bring disease-carrying ticks with them.
Thankfully, there are a variety of choices for deer fencing that can be utilized without the need for planting deer-resistant species or spraying harsh chemicals to remove ticks. By fencing deer out, you can keep your plants safe, avoid chemicals, and even keep pets in your yard with the right options.
Below, learn all about different types of common deer fencing and repellants to keep these pests away from your outdoor space.
Table of Contents
Considerations for Deer Fencing
Before choosing a deer fence, consider the following features:
- Fence Height: Deer are great jumpers, capable of leaping 8 feet into the air. While some shorter fences can be effective, if deer are especially interested in your yard, a barrier-style deer fence at least this tall may be best. Many other kinds of fencing cannot reliably keep deer from crossing your property borders.
- Slack: Even as large animals, deer can try to push under fencing. Ensure there is no gap between your fencing and the ground. When using any type of loose fencing (for example, metal wire or polypropylene mesh), leave some slack. Let the extra fencing spill over the ground and pin it down with stakes.
- Repairs: Any damage incurred by barrier-style fencing will have to be repaired promptly: A compromised barrier is not effective. Deer are smart enough to find a breach in the fence and enter through it quickly.
- Pest Prevention: Depending on the type of fence you build, you can prevent other pests like rodents and small mammals. However, you must select barrier-style fencing that only has small openings. This can cost more, so decide whether the benefit is worth the extra cost.
- Durability: To increase durability, any metal deer fence you use should be galvanized, and any polypropylene fence should be UV-protected.
- Gates: Remember to include a gate or other means of accessing the area being fenced (and deer-proof the gate with proper latches).
Metal Wire Fencing
Metal wire fencing consists of heavy-gauge metal wires running horizontally and vertically that form rectangles, which are attached together at each intersection. This is one of the best options for the greatest number of gardeners, as it’s typically affordable compared to standard yard fencing. It’s also easy to install: Simply hammer metal posts (or install stronger wood posts) in the ground, then attach the wire to each post.
Polypropylene Mesh Fencing
Metal wire fencing consists of heavy-gauge metal wires running horizontally and vertically that form rectangles, which are attached together at each intersection. This is one of the best options for the greatest number of gardeners, as it’s typically affordable compared to standard yard fencing. It’s also easy to install: Simply hammer metal posts (or install stronger wood posts) in the ground, then attach the wire to each post.
Chain-Link Fence
Chain-link fences consist of sturdy metal wires that interlink in a zig-zag pattern, which are attached to metal posts that must be set in concrete underground. Like other conventional fences, chain-link fencing can also serve as a barrier to deer.
