If you're a property owner who deals with close wildlife encounters on a daily basis, you're probably on edge all the time. If your property borders or merges with the natural habitat of wildlife, you have a responsibility to protect both your tenants and the animals that live in the area. One of the most effective ways to do this is by installing wildlife-friendly fencing.
In this blog post, Wildlife Fence Specialist's wildlife control experts explore why traditional wildlife fencing should be avoided and why wildlife-friendly fencing is so important, with a focus on protecting coyotes and snakes.
Why Traditional Fencing is Not Effective
To begin with, let's look at how traditional fences are made. Traditional fencing materials like chain-link, barbed wire, and even some types of wooden fencing can pose serious risks to wildlife. Animals can become entangled in the fencing, leading to injury or even death. Sharp edges and points can also cause serious harm if an animal collides with the fence.
In some cases, this type of fencing can also restrict the natural movement of wildlife, cutting off access to important resources like food, water, and shelter. When this happens, it can lead to increased conflicts between animals and humans as they search for alternative sources.
The material makeup is not the only issue. Some traditional fencing options are designed to allow access to properties where the animal then gets trapped.
Here's why you want to prevent that from happening:
Fence Them Out, Not In
When dealing with wildlife roaming your property, the goal should be to keep animals out of areas where they may conflict with humans or pets. This is known as "fencing them out" and is a much more effective and humane approach than trying to capture and relocate wildlife.
One key reason wildlife-friendly fences have grown in popularity is that property owners and conservation authorities have collectively recognized that the traditional way of capturing and releasing is not viable.
The Dangers of Capturing and Relocating Wildlife
While it used to seem like a good idea to capture and relocate wildlife that has wandered onto a property, this approach is often ineffective and can even be harmful to the animals. When wildlife is captured and moved to a new location, they may become disoriented and struggle to find food, water, and shelter in an unfamiliar environment. Scenarios like this can lead to stress, injury, and even death for the animal.
Additionally, relocating wildlife can introduce diseases or disrupt the delicate balance of the ecosystem in the new location. This can negatively impact the native wildlife and the overall health of the environment.
For this reason, wildlife-friendly fencing is in growing demand.
Keeping the Peace With Wildlife-Friendly Fencing
In this day and age, there's no reason to opt for inhumane wildlife fencing. There are so many options on the market, and the good they do for the animal is priceless.
Here's what they can do for you:
- Minimizes risks to animals while still providing effective barriers to keep you and your property safe
- Uses materials less likely to cause injury, such as smooth wire or flexible plastic
- May incorporate features like breakaway hinges that prevent animals from getting stuck, agitated, and potentially dangerous
- Helps maintain healthy populations and prevent local extinctions
Bypass Coyote and Snake Chaos With Wildlife-Friendly Fences
Now that we've covered the importance of dealing with wildlife humanely and what products to avoid, you might be wondering what fences can solve your coyote and snake issues. Well, let's dive a little deeper to answer your questions.
Coyote Rollers
Since coyotes are a common sight in many urban and suburban areas, they pose a risk to pets and small children, particularly if they feel threatened or are looking for food. However, coyotes are also an important part of the ecosystem, helping regulate rodent populations and other small mammals.
So, how do you prevent dangerous encounters without harming them or the surrounding ecosystem? Coyote Rollers.
Coyote rollers are a unique, humane fencing solution that helps keep coyotes out of areas where they may come into conflict with humans. These rollers are installed at the top of a fence, creating a smooth, slippery, rotating surface that coyotes cannot climb over.
When a coyote tries to jump or climb the fence, the roller spins, causing the animal to lose its grip and fall back to the ground safely. This fence add-on is an effective and humane way to deter coyotes without harming them. It's easy to install on existing fences and requires minimal maintenance, making it a cost-effective solution for property managers.
Snake Fences
If coyotes aren't your cause for concern, but rather snakes are, there are humane solutions for these reptiles. Like coyotes, snakes are another integral part of the ecosystem, helping to control populations of other small animals. However, many people are afraid of snakes and may try to kill them if they encounter them on their property.
As unappealing as they can be, you should consider humane solutions to their unwanted presence. Consider snake fences.
Snake fences are excellent at keeping snakes out of areas where they may come into contact with humans. These fences are typically made from a smooth, rigid material like PVC or aluminum, with a buried apron or skirt to prevent snakes from burrowing underneath. The fence is usually tall enough to prevent snakes from climbing over, typically around 3 feet (0.9 meters) in height.
Over the years, they've become an effective and humane way to protect snakes and prevent conflicts with humans.
Keep Your Property and Occupants Safe With Wildlife-Friendly Fences
In addition to keeping coyotes and snakes out with wildlife-friendly fences, you can contribute to a thriving ecosystem that neighbors your land. If you're tired of dealing with close encounters and frustrating intruders, Wildlife Fence Specialist can help install fences that'll solve your problems once and for all.
If you'd like more information about how our team can help, we'd love to hear from you and answer your questions. Give us a call at (760) 496-9166.