Burying wire mesh under a fence creates a physical barrier, often called a footer or apron, that deters animals from digging beneath a perimeter. This technique prevents burrowing pests, such as rabbits, groundhogs, or persistent digging pets, from breaching the protected area. The wire mesh acts as an underground obstacle, making digging fruitless as the animal encounters the buried material and abandons the attempt. The process involves installing a section of wire that extends both vertically down and horizontally away from the fence line.
Necessary Tools and Preparation Steps
Before starting the installation, gathering the right materials and tools is essential. You will need a shovel or trenching tool for excavation, wire cutters for metal mesh, and heavy-duty work gloves. Fasteners, such as U-shaped fence staples for wooden fences or durable zip ties for chain-link fences, are required for securing the wire to the existing structure.
The choice of wire mesh significantly impacts the barrier’s effectiveness against different animals. While “chicken wire” is commonly used, a stronger material like galvanized hardware cloth is often recommended for determined diggers like dogs or groundhogs. Hardware cloth features a smaller mesh size, typically one inch or less, and a thicker wire gauge, making it far more resistant to chewing and tearing than the lighter, hexagonal chicken wire.
Step-by-Step Installation of the Wire Barrier
The installation process begins with excavating a trench along the interior side of the fence, maintaining a depth of 6 to 12 inches and a width of roughly 12 inches. This width is necessary to accommodate the horizontal portion of the wire barrier. Once the trench is dug, the wire mesh must be cut to the appropriate length for the section being installed.
A critical anti-digging technique involves creating an ‘L’ shape with the mesh, ensuring the wire is bent at a 90-degree angle to present a horizontal barrier underground. For instance, if using a 24-inch wide roll of wire, 12 inches extends vertically down the fence line and the remaining 12 inches extends horizontally outward into the trench. This horizontal apron forces any animal attempting to dig to start beneath the buried wire, discouraging them from continuing their effort.
Next, secure the vertical portion of the wire mesh to the bottom of the existing fence structure. For wooden fences, use U-shaped fence staples to fasten the wire directly to the bottom rail or posts. If working with a metal fence, sturdy zip ties or hog rings can be used to anchor the wire securely. After securing the wire’s top edge, the bent, L-shaped mesh is carefully placed into the prepared trench so the vertical section rests against the fence base and the horizontal apron lies flat on the trench floor.
Securing and Finalizing the Burial
With the wire mesh properly positioned, the final stage involves backfilling and securing the barrier. The excavated soil should be returned to the trench, completely covering the wire mesh apron and the vertical section along the fence line. It is beneficial to mix the soil with gravel or small rocks before backfilling, which helps to further deter animals and improve drainage around the buried mesh.
As the trench is refilled, the soil must be compacted firmly to prevent future settling and the formation of gaps that an animal might exploit. Compacted soil also locks the horizontal apron into place, maximizing the effectiveness of the anti-digging design. For added security, heavy objects such as landscape pavers or large stones can be placed directly over the buried horizontal section of the wire. This serves as a physical weight to hold the apron down and frustrate initial digging attempts near the fence. Regular inspection of the fence line for any signs of digging disturbance is necessary to maintain the long-term effectiveness of the buried wire barrier.