Skip to main content

What you need to know about electric garden fences

Details about electric fences for gardens: Precautions to setup

Deer, squirrels, raccoons, rabbits, and other animal pests can wreck a garden in no time. To make matters worse, they have good memories. Once they’ve eaten up the lettuce in May, they’ll come back for beans in June, tomatoes in July, and corn in August. There are plenty of sprays, granules, and traps for sale at garden centers and home improvement stores, but they require regular application to work consistently. Unlike repellents and traps, electric garden fencing holds promise as a lasting animal pest deterrent.

An electric fence system creates a psychological barrier that keeps uninvited animals out. The animal touches the fence, receives a shock, and learns that this is a “dangerous” area. It quickly becomes trained to stay away from the fence. The pulsating low-voltage current that flows through the fence is not deadly to humans or animals, but the shock is an effective, uncomfortable surprise. If you’re thinking about installing a new electric fence for the garden, read on to learn more.

Recommended Videos

Deer looking through electric fence

How electric fencing works

Just a few simple components make up the electric fence system: a fence charger (also known as an “energizer” or “fence controller”), fence wire, fence posts and insulators, a ground rod, and connection wires. The charger converts electricity from a power source into a high voltage (2,000 to 10,000 volts), very low amperage (about 0.12 amps) pulse. It releases the pulse, also known as the “shock,” onto an isolated fence line about once per second.

When nothing else touches the electrified fence wire, the current travels along the wire and creates an open circuit, like the electricity flowing to a light switch that’s been turned off. When an animal touches the wire, the current flows through it to the ground, closing the circuit, like turning on the light switch. The electric pulse shocks the animal at the point of contact. The pain that the animal feels is short-lived and doesn’t cause physical injury.

Squirrel eating a peach from a tree
Image used with permission by copyright holder

An electric garden fence will keep animal pests out

An electric fence conditions animals to avoid the fence. When they explore the unfamiliar fence, they may touch it with their nose or brush against it their body. If they experience a sufficient shock the first time, they’ll stay away afterward. To work properly, it must be configured and installed properly.

The power of the charger and the placement of wires determine the system’s success. With a low, closely spaced four- or five-wire electric garden fence, squirrels and rabbits can easily be controlled. Deer, on the other hand, require a tall fence with seven to nine wires, and wider spacing.

Many gardeners incorporate one or more strands of electric fence into decorative garden fencing, for a couple of reasons. Substantial decorative fencing adds a greater sense of permanence along with the attractive appearance. More importantly, it makes the electric fence more easily visible to both people and pests.

Couple with their pets
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Consider the risks to people, pets, and plants

With electricity, current kills. That said, electric fences pulsate extremely low amps. The current they produce won’t kill a squirrel, much less an adult or child. The electric shock is painful and will continue to hurt for a few minutes, but it doesn’t cause a burn or any other injury. If an adult, child, pet, or any other sentient touches it while in contact with the ground, they will be shocked but not otherwise harmed. Birds that perch on the wire won’t be shocked. Still, it’s a good idea to post warning signs on electric fencing to help unknowing visitors avoid accidental contact.

Tall grass and overhanging shrubs can cause the system to short out, especially in wet weather. To avoid this problem, the grass beneath the fence must stay short and any other vegetation that could contact the wires must be cut back.

Electric fence insulator
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Construct a DIY electric fence

Electric fence installation is a simple and straightforward DIY project. The most important consideration during the design phase is the types of animals you want to repel, as that will determine the required number of fence strands, spacing requirements, and charger strength. Kits are available for small projects such as flower beds and small to mid-size vegetable gardens. For larger projects, it may be necessary to purchase the components separately. Materials will cost about $250 or less, and should last a decade or more.

Electric fencing is a safe and effective alternative to spray-on or granular animal repellents for protecting garden spaces. The total cost is much lower, and the maintenance of fencing is far less than the amount of time required to apply repellents. If you are in search of a simple and flexible animal deterrent, electric garden fencing could be a great choice.

Mark Wolfe
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Mark Wolfe is a freelance writer who specializes in garden, landscaping, and home improvement. After two decades in the…
What to plant in Zone 10a: A complete gardening guide
Plants and their growing schedules for this zone
Woman reading book by plants

Consisting of the southernmost parts of the U.S., zone 10a is a rich region for a wide range of plants. While you might need to keep an eye out for your tender herbs and cold-loving plants, many flowers, succulents, and plants can thrive in zone 10a's warm temperature outdoors. That doesn't narrow things down much, so how do you choose the best plants for your garden, and when should you start planting them? This zone 10a planting guide will answer all your questions so you can successfully plan the garden of your dreams.
What is a climate zone? 

With the Plant Hardiness Zone Map, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has divided the country into 13 different climate zones based on average annual minimum temperature ranges. Zone 1 has the coolest temperatures, while zone 13 has the warmest ones.

Read more
Peat moss vs. coco peat: Which is best?
Find out what each growing medium is good for
Peat moss

Tried-and-true peat moss and up-and-coming coco peat (or coir) are each natural soil conditioners that can be extremely beneficial for those with sandier soil compositions. Each of these products can be useful, but how do you know which one is right for you? What are they even used for? If you're wondering whether you should be using peat moss or coco coir, then this is the guide for you. We'll break down everything to know about the peat moss vs. coco peat debate, so you're prepared to give your plants the best care you can.
What is coconut soil?

Coco fiber is often referred to as coconut soil or coco coir. It is a byproduct of coconut production and tends to be sourced in regions such as Sri Lanka, India, and Thailand. Coco coir has a long history of use as a hydroponic growing medium. It’s becoming more popular as an alternative to soil for gardeners around the world.

Read more
What is no-dig gardening? Here’s how to do it
Start your own no-dig garden today
A heliotrope plant growing in a garden

There are as many ways to design a garden as there are gardeners, with more variations and methods than we can count. Many of these variations offer benefits, ranging from the soothing effects of zen gardens to the ecological benefits of native wildflower gardens. One beneficial gardening method you might want to try out is no-dig gardening. If you aren’t familiar with this technique, you might be confused by the name. How can you grow a garden without digging? We’ve put together this guide for just that reason, and the answers are simpler than you might imagine.
What is no-dig gardening and is it right for you?

No-dig gardening doesn’t mean you never dig at all -- you’ll still need to dig holes if you want to plant seedlings or mature plants. It just means that digging is limited to only the times when it's necessary. By limiting the amount of digging you do, your garden can more closely mirror the natural environment, leading to fewer weeds, better drainage, and healthier soil.

Read more