Gates and Raccoons

[llombardo]

i knew when I was putting up the enclosure the gate was going to have gaps. I also read how these little creatures can and will reach in with a small amount of space. So I left hardware cloth with the sharpest edges I could coming out of those gaps on both sides of the gate, half way up.

The raccoons are out in full force here. Every night I hear them, see them and go in and out constantly. I have left the dog outside almost nightly.

First I noticed zip ties torn off, then I found an unsecure area and fixed it immediately. Finally I ordered an electric fence. I originally had 4 strands, but I decided more was needed. This decision came after I went to toss garbage into a bag I always have out there and the bottom was eaten and everything fell out. So now I know they are in the yard. There are no holes under the fence ir the gate, they have to be climbing over.

So today I redid the whole electric fence, I went 7 strands up. 6 are every two inches and the last one is about 5 inches from the last one. The disturbing thing was when I got to the end by the gate. I had to look twice, there were obvious scratch marks and dried blood. So they tried to get in but that hardware cloth ripped them up. Tomorrow I'm working on taking down as many branches in the other side of the fence that I can.

Not sure what the plan is for the top of enclosure. Right now I have heavy duty netting on there. Once the branches are gone, it's about 3 ft from the top of fence to top of enclosure. I think they can make that jump but it would be mocement-not sure if they could balance and rip? If they are trying and can't get in from the bottom I'm pretty sure they will try another route? Or will them getting shocked by the fence make them go away?

 

[centrarchid]

It does not take much of a shock to turn a raccoon away, especially if delivered as they are trying to get past another barrier. Can you show pictures of how the hotwire is setup? Generally, I keep raccoons and other critters away using only a single hotwire strand but gap measurements are important.

 

[llombardo]

It's dark now.

I have the first wire 4 inches off ground, then I went all the way up and on every notch, so a total if 6 strands, then I went up another 5-7 inches and put last strand around.

 

[llombardo]

Here is the best pic I can get

 

[llombardo]

I lied, it's 8 strands

 

[centrarchid]

Hopefully all will go ok tonight. When I question a perimeter, then I check it multiple times at night until it can be corrected. Blast them with a flashlite and run them off if you see them.

 

[centrarchid]

That should be overkill! Are you certain the wires are hot? That setup would be ideal for making so you alternate hot and ground wires.

 

[centrarchid]

I lied, it's 8 strands

You must get your fact straight, still overkill. lol.

 

[llombardo]

All wires are hot. I keep testing them. I was going to try to run it to the gate, but that was a no go, so I put a strand in front of the gate too.

The directions said to go up every couple inches after the first one that is 4 inches. It said to add as many as you could, so I did.

And I still don't feel completely safe. I wish I could put it over the top too..lol

 

[llombardo]

That should be overkill! Are you certain the wires are hot? That setup would be ideal for making so you alternate hot and ground wires.

Don't try to confuse me--I'm new to this..lol

I got zapped and so did two of my dogs. Once I got zapped on accident-- I knew it wasn't to bad but it definitely packed a punch. I knew the dogs would learn fast and they did.