As a matter of fact, snakes are normally as frightened of you as possibly you are of them, they often move quickly in the other direction.
If you are worried about venomous snake bites, there is no need to worry much about them because they are quite rare and you can treat them by following just a few simple steps.
If you are passionate about maintaining the garden and spend a lot of time in it, you may even want snakes as they dine on insects and rodents.
In one way they actually help you to protect your garden from pests.
The case is different if you live in an area where multiple venomous snakes are commonly found, you would probably prefer to invest in a snake-proof fence.
The best thing is that a small area can easily be protected from all types of poisonous and harmless snakes with a snake-proof fence.
Well, the cost of the fence may concern you a bit as it is impractical to protect an entire yard.
What exactly is a snake-proof fence?
A snake fence or also called rattlesnake fence, snake proofing, rattlesnake exclusion, snake barrier, and multiple other names, is just a method of keeping rattlesnakes out of an enclosed area.
In other words, snake fencing is a series of materials attached to existing structures, like gates, fences, drains, etc that stop snakes from entering an area.
Well, this might be different as many factors vary in different parts of the country.
Moreover, the term which is generally used is “snake fence” and the problem is that it could be a bit misleading as none of these will absolutely prevent your area from all species of snake.
Factors to consider while building a snake-proof fence?
Material
While Installing a snake-proof fence, you need to choose between aluminum or galvanized wire mesh. Talking about aluminum fencing, it is flexible yet strong, lightweight, durable and resistant to corrosion. Most importantly it’s more affordable than other metal mesh products.
Whereas galvanized stainless steel hardware cloth is considered a more heavy-duty option. Galvanization is about dipping into molten zinc, which generates a highly resilient and stable protective coating. The best thing is that it lasts longer than standard steel mesh and is capable of holding up under extreme environmental conditions.
Adjust the weave opening
A small opening is essential for wire mesh snake fences. In order to get the best results, always go for a metal mesh or hardware. Plus, a weave opening should not be larger than a quarter of an inch. Avoid too large weave openings or otherwise, it will make your snake-proof fence ineffective.
Consider the height and depth
In snake fencing, improper height and depth can cause problems. You should install a fence that’s at least 30 inches from the ground It’s better to position the metal mesh at a 30-degree angle as it will help prevent snakes from climbing over.
How to Build a Snake Proof Fence? And What’s Required?
A snake fence is the most appropriate way of keeping the slithery pest out of your garden. Many people try deterrents, traps, or even wildlife control but they only end up with limited success.
On the other hand, the snake fence is well-secured, lasts for many years, and provides protection from snakes 24/7 throughout the year. So in order to build a snake fence, you just need to follow a few rules to get it right.
Dig a trench
Snakes are very quite successful in getting under any fence. All they need is the slightest gap to slide under the fence and into the garden. It is recommended to bury the base of the fence in a barrier of concrete.
Now dig a trench, and make sure that it’s almost six inches deep and of the same width then fill it with concrete and just cover the base of the fence.
Make sure that the base must go about an inch or two into the concrete. If you are using a wooden fence, Don’t forget to treat the wood with sealants and also use pressure-treated wood too.
Plus, the best fencing option to prevent material damage is vinyl.
Make the use of Vinyl
As far as vinyl is concerned in snake fencing, you would find it to be excellent as a snake fence material.
The thing is that a snake fence needs to enclose your property to be successful and also to be tall enough to stop the snake from climbing.
So the surface of a vinyl privacy fence will prevent the snake from climbing up and over the property.
You might have noticed somewhere that skilled fence installers always slope the fence outwards to make sure that the snake falls off when climbing.
So you might be thinking why Vinyl privacy fencing? Well, because a wooden fence enables snakes with too many opportunities to get a grip when climbing. Vinyl privacy fencing is the only secure option.
Fill the gaps
A sneaky snake will always try to slide through the slightest gap. This is why it is recommended to use the vinyl privacy fence and the burying of the base in a layer of concrete.
The next step you should do is eliminate any gaps. Make sure that the fence panels fit tightly to the posts. Many people often ignore gate posts and the fact that snakes can slip in the smallest of holes.
Well, to be more cautious, it would be better to go around the fence at night with a flashlight. At the same time, as you walk around inside the fence, mark the spot and fill the gap. If you can see even a small opening, then the snake will too.
Keep an eye on external aid
You may get success in building the best snake-proof fence possible, but the snakes are still getting into the property. How? a tree growing close to the fence may be giving them space to slide in over the structure.
just get the permission and trim the overhanging branches that can possibly help snakes sneak in. Plus, a storm drain is a common way for a snake to slip in, so don’t forget to keep them covered.
Maintenance
A good maintenance routine is vital to the success of any DIY fence install. You should always keep it free of fungi and termites. With a snake-proof fence, it is very important to keep an eye for new gaps in the fence.
You must not delay fixing any damage to prevent holes from appearing. The concrete that is under the fence may crack in cold weather, so you need to keep an eye on that too. Maintaining a snake-proof fence is easy, but you need to be vigilant with snake fences.
