Australia is home to more than 200 species of snakes. Only about 25 of these are considered potentially deadly to humans, though there are certainly more that could hurt you, your family, or a beloved pet. One way to avoid this is to keep snakes out of your garden using snake-proof mesh on your fence.
In this article, we’ll look at how you can use snake-proof mesh on your fence to protect you and your family.
What Is Snake Proof Fencing?
Snake-proof fencing is a type of garden perimeter fencing that prevents snakes from entering the property. It is designed to stop snakes from entering a garden or another enclosed area by preventing them from fitting through the gaps in a fence.
Snakes are very good at squeezing themselves into small areas. And all they need to do is to be able to squeeze their heads through a gap and they’re able to move through an area.
The mesh is designed to stop this from happening, even if they’re baby snakes.
However, the holes are large enough to allow for good ventilation and visibility, so they don’t depreciate an area’s beauty.
Most snake-proof fencing is also designed to prevent snakes from climbing because there is little for them to grip hold of. Snakes are very good climbers and can use their muscular bodies to anchor onto most surfaces, but the fine mesh provides very little space to grip.
Therefore, snake-proof fencing allows for your garden to be protected from snake entry, not to mention other animals, and there is still good airflow and natural beauty.
How to Build a Snake-Proof Fence
It is fairly easy for you to build a snake-proof fence at your home. Here are the steps that you need to follow.
Step 1 - Measure the perimeter of the area that you want to protect from snakes.
Step 2 - Buy a wire mesh frame that is at least as long as the distance you’ve measured in step 1.
Step 3 - Place the mesh on the outside of the fence. If the fence is the boundary of your property, you might need to speak to your neighbour.
Step 4 - Ensure that the mesh is buried 10 inches into the ground to prevent snakes from burying underneath your fence line. You also need the fence to be at least 30 inches above the ground.
Step 5 - Check the mesh for any damage, such as holes, or breaks in the coverage.
Step 6 - Remove nearby foliage that would allow the snake to climb to get over the fence.
Step 7 - Regularly check for damage to your snake-proof fence.
Snake Proof Mesh Fencing: Materials and Benefits
Snake-proof fence mesh is made of a metal material. Metal is harder for snakes to climb on because they can’t get the friction that they would do with more natural materials such as wood or bamboo.
In addition, the sizing of the holes in a mesh fencing option prevents the snake from being able to squeeze through or from using the gaps as a way to hold on to the fence and climb.
They can be an effective solution for smaller areas of a garden, like around a chicken coop, a children’s play area, or a vegetable garden.
Does Snake Mesh Work? Understanding Its Efficiency
Snake-proof mesh is an effective way to keep snakes from your garden or certain areas.
However, there are some issues that you might need to consider. The mesh is only as effective as the installation. Damage to the mesh can allow for holes that are large enough for the snake to escape.
One particular weak spot in snake mesh fencing is where you’ve joined two panels together.
Ensure there are no gaps between the two panels in the mesh.
Snakes can burrow under or climb over mesh fencing if you’ve not dug deep enough or put the mesh high enough on the fence line. Larger snakes, for instance, can lift the front two-thirds of
their bodies off the ground to reach higher points, making it easier for them to get over obstacles.
Another problem can be local foliage. If you’ve got a tree near your boundary, then the snake can climb the tree and then drop it down into your garden. So you have to ensure that this is not an option or place snake-proof mesh around the tree.
Can Snakes Climb Wire Mesh?
Snakes are unable to climb the wire mesh, as long as it has been kept in good condition. They find the sensation of the fire wire mesh rather inconvenient and therefore tend not to use metal, or glass as a surface to climb on.
However, snakes can use breaks in the wire mesh to climb on. Even the smallest break in a wire mesh fence can be enough for the snake to get a hold and use their particularly impressive strength to climb.
To prevent climbing, you have to ensure that the mesh is high enough off the ground, at least three feet. And ensure that there are no breaks or damage to the fencing.
Finally, check around the fence line for objects that could be used to climb on. Bins, trees, bushes, or other objects can be used by snakes to climb high.
How to Create a Fence Using Snake Proof Mesh
Using the instructions above, you can use the snake-proof mesh to keep a variety of potential animals away from your garden. The mesh is usually good enough for keeping rats, mice, and small birds away from certain areas of your home.
If you’re looking to keep some birds aware from areas of your garden, remember that you need to create a cover to prevent them from flying over the top. You could use anti-bird netting to do this or create a frame where you wrap the snake-proof mesh around. Just remember to create ways to access the area such as a door.
Snake Proof Fence Gate Design
If you’re looking to add a gate to your area, then you need to remember that this can be a weak point in the defence against snakes. Gates can be easily added, but you need to ensure that you’re not allowing snakes to enter the area through the gate.
Therefore, be sure that all areas of the gate workings are covered by the wire mesh, with just enough space to access the opening mechanism of the gate area. The mechanism should be as high as possible, so it cannot be used by the snake as a lever to climb on.
Also, keep the wire mesh on the outside. Have the gate open outwards to make it easier for the wire mesh to fit around the whole gate. If you have the gate moved internally, then you will need two panels to snake-proof the gate area. And this can be where gaps in the fence form.
How to Install Snake Proof Mesh: Tips and Tricks
As with all snake-proofing devices, the tip for installing snake-proof mesh is to ensure that you’re using it in the right locations and correctly. By following the advice above, you can ensure that you’re limiting the chances that a snake can gain access to your garden or area.
You will also need to ensure that you’re checking the mesh regularly enough. Damage can be caused by weather, other animals, and even regular use. The key areas to check for damage are where two panels are joining together, near gates, and at the corners. Create a schedule for ensuring your snake-proof fence is not damaged and conduct quick repairs if there is damage.
Also, don’t forget that snakes can burrow and climb. So ensure there are no opportunities for either of these by getting the mesh at the right height and buried deep enough.
Alternatives to Snake-Proof Mesh for Fencing
There are also some other alternatives to snake-proof mesh. For instance, you might want to use solid physical barriers to prevent snakes from entering your property. This is possible when there are no options for the snake to grip hold of. Snakes are great climbers and can use the slightest imperfection to climb up./p>
Another option is to use snake-repellent devices, such as those from Envirobug that use vibrations to simulate the vibrations that a predator would make. Snakes hear these with their internal ears and then tend to avoid the area.
You could try electric fencing, but this might cause harm to the snake, children or pets if they touch the wire.
There are also some natural deterrents that you might want to use. Snakes are deterred from areas by natural odours such as garlic, onions, cinnamon, clove, vinegar, and lime. They also dislike certain plants like marigolds, lemongrass, rosemary, or citrus fruits as their strong smells block their senses.
Available Australia-Wide: Snake Proof Fencing Solutions
There are plenty of solutions for snake-proof fencing in Australia. EnviroBug has numerous products available that are designed to humanely prevent snakes from entering any area.
If you want additional peace of mind, you can also use anti-snake devices, such as ground vibrators that produce vibrations in the ground which deter snakes, by simulating that a predator is close by. These can be powered by batteries or solar-powered and are very effective at adding a level of protection to your garden.
