Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/1132012
Fencers, advise your customers Rid deer from lawns to prevent tick disease BY JENNIFER SMITH, DEERBUSTERS DEER FENCE Ticks are not bugs; nor are they nuisance pests. They are eight-legged arach- nids that affectionately attach onto warm-blooded mammals while trans- ferring life-altering diseases, includ- ing Lyme Disease (the most wide- spread tick-borne disease), Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and (dare I say it) red meat allergies. B e c a u s e ticks remain a year-round concern for homeowners, gardeners, and pet owners, it is important to discuss tick m a n a g e m e n t strategies so that you can consult with your custom- ers and sell them the most effective fence they can buy. Later in this article we will dis- cuss the dangers of the various diseas- es and how they emerged and spread. After reading that, it will be- come obvious that prevention is the best solution, and that's where the lo- cal fence contractor can provide the knowledge and expertise to do the job right. Keeping deer out Since white-tailed deer are the number one carriers of ticks in the United States, it is highly recommend- ed that tick disease prevention is im- plemented at home to protect family members and pets. The following strategies must be considered for deer and tick manage- ment: Deer fence installation; grow- ing deer-resistant flowers; and apply- ing granular and liquid deer repellents to the grass. Deer fence solutions Installing a deer fence is the best way to keep deer off properties and away from home gardens. Predominately used for garden protection against deer and small critters, using deer fence around a pe- rimeter or property can help lower the amount of ticks in the yard dropped by white tails and reduce the chance of Lyme Disease by 97 percent (Na- tional Center for Biological Informa- tion). There are two main materials used for deer fencing made from poly- propylene or PVC-coated metal mesh. Why use plastic deer fence? Plastic may not seem up to the task of stopping deer, but this type of material is a popular choice for fence installers to use for a few reasons. For starters, the poly material is lightweight and easy to manage. T h e b r e a k i n g strength of the material rang- es from 650 to 1,400 pounds and is used to protect or- ganic gardens against light to moderate deer pressure. In addition to deer control, it works well to secure small or calm dogs in the yard. Poly remains strong against all types of weather patterns and lasts up to 20 years outside, due to its UV-stabilized material. Why use PVC metal deer fence? Metal fences are popular choices for home growers and livestock own- ers with chickens, cattle, goats and sheep. Metal fences are used for areas with high deer pressure and chewing animals, including rabbits, ground- hogs, coyotes, wolves and foxes. PVC protects steel core fences against rusting and other weather el- ements as well as chew marks from wild animals. Having PVC-coating on metal fences will allow the fence to stand strong for 30-40 years. Fence installers find that plastic and metal fences also are more cost effective than traditional fence styles. Growing deer-resistant plants Deer will eat various plants year- round; and while they have their fa- vorite foods (corn, soybeans and to- matoes), they can be picky eaters and will turn their noses away from cer- tain flowers and herbs. Home growers looking to route deer away from vegetable and fruit gardens can plant deer-resistant flow- ers around a deer fence, including marigolds, daffodils, peonies, aster, and hibiscus. In addition to these flowers, continued on page 22 Tall plastic or PVC coated metal mesh is a great way to protect the perimeter of a residence from tick-carrying deer, and also to protect gardens and orchards from hungry animals. (DeerBusters Deer Fence photos) AMERISTARFENCE.COM 888-333-3422 EXODUS EGRESS GATES Meets IBC | Pre-assembled | 30 Minute Install ALL-IN-ONE PEDESTRIAN GATE SYSTEMS