Electric Fencing

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Electrified netting requires the most maintenance. When left around vegetable beds for the season, it needs to be moved periodically and the grass mowed or weed-whacked. Or place cardboard, carpet or flat stones under it to prevent weeds from growing up and touching the wire.

TRICKS OF THE TRADE

Regardless of what you add to your system in the way of end posts, line posts, insulators, switches (very useful when searching for a short) and other gizmos, a few basic rules apply to all electric fencing.

First, electric fences really do their job, but only if they're turned on — all of the time. That's why vegetable growers, pastured poultry producers and other users equip their fences with blinking lights or alarms to signal operational problems.

Want a good night's sleep? There is nothing more reassuring just before slipping between the sheets than glancing out a bedroom window, seeing that little twinkle of light pulsing in the far field and knowing that your defense shields are activated. of course, if the field is totally dark, there is nothing more exasperating than stomping outside through the wet grass in your bare feet to find that you've merely forgotten to plug the fence charger back in. Like the wild and domestic animals learn to avoid the fence, you soon will learn to turn it back on after you've consciously shut it down for whatever reason.

Second, making good contact with a charged fence wire is the only way animals will develop a healthy respect for the fence. Many people set a pan of feed just outside the fence to train young livestock to stay away. Baiting the fence with peanut butter or other lures also assures that predators get the message to keep out. (See "Making Big Impressions on Bambi,".)

Third, electric fence is primarily a psychological deterrent, not a physical barrier. Any animal that is hungry, scared or being chased can and probably will run right through or leap over an energized electric fence. But that can happen with traditional fencing, too.

Whatever you decide to install, get a voltage tester so you can make sure your fence is well-grounded, and pinpoint the problem when it shorts out. Mr. Japhy might agree that's a lot better than relying on your pets to tell you whether your fence is working properly.

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