Keeping garden pests out requires matching the fence design to the specific animal — deer need height, rabbits need small mesh, and raccoons need both underground and anti-climb barriers.
A single type of fence rarely stops every animal that visits a garden. Deer jump over low barriers; rabbits squeeze through large mesh or dig under; raccoons climb. The fix is to identify the pest first, then choose a fence height, mesh size, and ground barrier that blocks that animal’s specific ability. Below are the exact dimensions and build details for the four most common garden intruders, plus the installation steps that make a fence actually work.
Match the Fence to the Animal
Build the fence around the animal that causes the most damage, because a deer-proof fence will also stop smaller pests. The table below gives the core specifications for each common garden pest.
Fence Specifications by Pest
| Animal | Minimum Height | Mesh / Barrier Details |
|---|---|---|
| Deer | 8 feet (6 feet is marginal) | 45-degree outward-angled top recommended; or two 4–5 foot fences 3–4 feet apart |
| Rabbits | 2 feet | 1-inch hexagonal mesh; bury an apron 6–12 inches deep |
| Dogs / Cats | 3 feet | Bend bottom 24 inches outward as a ground apron |
| Raccoons / Opossums | 60–72 inches | 24-inch horizontal underground apron; unattached top section that bends under climbing |
Birds are a separate case: drape netting over fruit trees and berry bushes a few weeks before fruit ripens. For deeper product comparisons, our full fence roundup for garden animal control covers the best ready-made options and rated models.
How to Build a Garden Fence That Works
Follow these steps for any animal-specific fence to avoid the common mistakes that let pests through.
Identify the pest first. A deer fence and a rabbit fence are built differently — one is tall with wide mesh, the other is short with tiny openings. The fence must be designed for the specific animal causing the damage.
Prepare the perimeter. Clear grass and weeds along the entire fence line. Install posts every 6 to 8 feet; dig holes about 8 inches wide and at least 2 feet deep. Anchor each post in concrete or hard-packed soil so the fence stays upright under pressure from leaning animals.
Attach the mesh tightly. Use galvanized staples every 4 to 6 inches to secure the mesh to each post. A loose mesh lets animals push through or squeeze under.
Add ground protection. For rabbits and raccoons, bury the bottom of the mesh or form an L-shaped apron on the outside of the fence. The apron should extend outward at least 12 inches for most animals and 24 inches for raccoons. This stops digging before it reaches the fence line.
Seal the gate bottom tightly. Small animals often enter through gaps under gates. The gate must sit flush against the ground with no daylight visible beneath it.
Three Common Fence Mistakes That Let Animals In
Too-short deer fence. A 4-foot fence stops nothing. Deer routinely clear 6 feet, and the University of Georgia recommends at least 8 feet — some sources say 8 to 10 feet. A 45-degree outward-angled top further discourages jumping.
Mesh openings that are too large. Rabbits squeeze through anything bigger than 1 inch. Chicken wire with 2-inch openings will not stop a determined rabbit — use 1-inch hexagonal mesh instead.
Neglecting the ground-level barrier. A fence that stops at the soil surface is a fence with a front door for diggers. Burying mesh or forming an outward apron is not optional for rabbits, raccoons, and opossums.
FAQs
FAQs
How deep should I bury fence mesh to stop rabbits from digging under?
Bury the mesh 6 to 12 inches deep, but shape it into an L-shaped apron that extends outward from the bottom of the fence. This makes digging under the fence much harder because the animal hits the buried mesh well before it reaches the vertical fence line.
Will a 6-foot fence stop deer from jumping into my garden?
A 6-foot fence stops some deer, but a determined one can still clear it. Most experts recommend 8 feet for reliable protection, and some sources suggest 8 to 10 feet. Adding an outward-angled top section or stringing a top wire adds another layer of deterrence.
Can I use the same fence for raccoons and rabbits?
Not really — the two require different mesh sizes and ground barriers. Raccoons need a 60- to 72-inch fence with a 24-inch underground apron and an anti-climb top, while rabbits only need a 2-foot fence with 1-inch mesh. Build for the animal that causes the most damage and treat the other animal with a secondary method.
References & Sources
- University of Georgia Extension. “Garden Fencing.” Provides specific fence height, mesh size, and underground barrier recommendations for deer, rabbits, raccoons, and other common garden pests.