Is electric fencing for you? Consider these things: Are critters getting into your yard, troublesome varmints that you don't want in there? Are there creatures in your yard that you'd like to keep in, like dogs or other pets? Or maybe you have got the garden of your life going, and would like to feed your family and friends, instead of supporting the local deer population. If any or all of those are true, an electric fence installation can be just the thing for you.
You can do research and find directions on how to set up your own electric fencing system. Or you can purchase pre-made kits that include all you'll need. The commercial items will be safety rated and guaranteed, and really are probably the best choice. Things you'll need include wire and poles, of course, with some sort of energizer. You can get energizers that work off of house current, and also battery powered and solar powered units. There are also kits available to extend your existing electric fence, once you've tried it and know you like it. A fence tester might be nice, so you don't have to touch the fence, or try to fool someone else into touching it, to see if it's working. And it would be a courtesy to put a few of the vinyl electric fence warning signs around too, for creatures that can read, like neighbors and the meter reader.
Electric fences provide a high-voltage but brief duration electric shock to animals that touch the fence. The shock is painful, but not dangerous. Because the current is not constant, but only in brief high-intensity pulses, nothing will be electrocuted by your fence. Anything that touches the fence is going to get a high-energy nip that will be remembered. Avoiding that fence will become a priority for whatever has tried it once. Brand name products are certified safe for people as well as animals. You don't have to worry that you will harm anybody or any animal.
Electric fences are good protection for gardens, especially in combination with existing conventional fences. Electric fencing also can deter predators and protect small animal pets. With coyotes spreading and stray dogs becoming a problem in more areas, an electric fence may save the family pet from harm. You may also want to protect garbage cans from marauding animals. Stray dogs, raccoons, or such varmints looking for a free lunch in your garbage will get a discouraging surprise once you electrify the area. I'm not sure what one of these home kits would do to a Grizzly bear, so if Grizzly bears in the garbage is your problem, you might want to consult an expert. But for ordinary animal pests, an electric fence installation could be a simple solution to a pesky problem.
