Want to Keep Deer Out of Your Yard? There's a Fence for That
Yard plants, flowers vulnerable to animal trespassers
A population explosion has led many homeowners to consider closely the kind of fence to build in their yards.
This isn’t about nosy neighbors, but rather unwanted guests of the four-legged kind.
“We’ve been seeing more deer in the area than ever before,” says Barry Potter of the highly rated Mill To You Fencing in Alexandria, Virginia. “It’s getting worse.”
That’s not surprising because the deer population has increased significantly across the nation. Researchers estimates there were just 500,000 deer in the United States in 1900.
Today, there are thought to be more than 15 million.
The growing number of deer poses numerous problems, not the least of which is the effect these trespassers can have on your yard.
“They’ll strip everything bare,” Potter says.
How much does a fence cost?
Homeowners are trying to keep these animals out of their backyards by erecting “deer fences,” which are designed as barriers that also protect your views.
“We get a lot of calls these days about putting in deer fences,” Potter says.
Normally, a deer fence is made mainly of wire and are rather unobtrusive. Open mesh is popular and it typically costs less than a traditional fence.
A privacy cedar fence can run around $30 a linear foot, while treated pine comes in a little cheaper at $20-$25.
Wire or mesh deer fences run about $15 a foot.
For more fencing options, check out this Angie’s List Guide to Fences.
What are your fence needs?
Of course, some traditional wooden fences also will work, as long as they provide a visual barrier.
“Deer won’t jump a fence if they can’t see what’s on the other side,” Potter says.
Also, white-tailed deer, which are prevalent in the Mid-Atlantic, can jump close to 8 feet high. Low fences of any kind aren’t the best option.
When talking to local fence companies, Potter says the first thing representatives should ask is what you hope to achieve from a particular fence.
“This is going to frame your yard,” he says. “Do you want something for privacy, or is it something to keep in your dogs and kids?”
