Do you have a snake problem? Worried about your dogs? So were we! Here is our experts - How to build a "SNAKE FENCE " advice!
After losing a beloved dog that was bitten by a tiger snake on our property, which has a water course running through it, ( she killed it and it killed her,) we decided that we needed a 'snake proof - fenced area' around the house for our other pets ( and us!) We consulted a qualified, SNAKE EXPERT, who looked at our property and advised on the type of snakes we have in our area ( tigers' and red bellied blacks - both highly poisonous) , and the problems ( ie: Snakes can climb
trees and drop off extended branches/ snakes can climb brick walls/ snakes can climb roughened concrete walls / snakes can climb wooden fences, and 6 ft high palling fences, they can certainly get through chicken wire and dog wire fences, and certainly lattice and post and rail fences, and will climb through anything they can fit through!.
But he took all that into account and came up with a good design!!
This was what he advised, and what we built.:
The snake fence MUST be a MINIMUM of 1.25 metres high from the ground. (Preferably 1.5 metres high)
It MUST be set into the ground by at least 12 centimetres.
The snake expert prescribed a hard wood ( as this lasts almost forever) frame with rows of planks (16 cms wide and 2 cms thick, ) along the TOP, AND the same row of planks along the BOTTOM, and set 12 cms into the ground at the bottom, ( so 4 cms of the bottom row of planks showing above ground) and both of these rows are joining hardwood upright posts 8 x 8 cms square, set deep in concrete into the ground, every 1.5 to 2 metres or so.
Then purpose specific "SNAKE AND MOUSE WIRE" (very fine, and very STRONG, smooth mesh, and readily available from hardware and fencing suppliers,- DO NOT substitute it with ANYTHING else!) MUST be cut to overlap the edges of the frame by about half the width of the fame ( 8 cms) and well tacked at ONE CM intervals, onto the hardwood frame, top AND bottom, and around thinner (4 x 4 cms) uprights that are joined - flush to the the upright posts, on both sides of each post, with absolutely no gaps anywhere!
We also had two gates specially made, of the same height - also with "snake and mouse wire" - each, set onto a metal frame for each of the gates, and a a strip of concrete as wide as the gate,set into ground, along the width of the gates on the ground, and a rubber strip that closes the gate at the bottom, and is hard, flush up against the concrete strip or floor at ground level.
The fence MUST also have a cleared area of 1-2 metres of cleared short grass, with no trees overhanging this area, on both sides of the fence!
First we cut a swath through the trees, to create the cleared area, and planted grass to maintain this. Then we had a professional fence builder build the fence to the above specifications.
High, brick window ledges ( you could construct one of any material) that comes out from the house, over a foot wide, and acts as a barrier- preventing a snake from climbing the brick house wall to get over the fence, on each side where the fence meets the house, completes the snake proof fence. ( ie: A snake could climb the side of the brick house, but when it meets the window ledge, it cannot hang on to the wall AND get over the ledge- so it drops off.)
So far we think it is working very well, as we have seen snakes try to climb it and give up. This all cost us about $7,000- ( AUS) to cover an area about 30 metres square, on three sides with the house on the third side, and the fence joins the house on both sides. ( Not cheap! - but it is worth it for the peace of mind! The alternative options for us were moving house or not having pets. The first option - even more expensive and the second- unthinkable.
If we had not had pets, the snakes would not have worried us too much, as generally snakes will avoid people and are not aggressive, and if you are very careful and aware of where you walk and put your feet, and do not leave piles of stuff and potential housing or food sources for them, around, you are most likely to be safe, - but dogs tend to take a different view- either being far too curious, or feeling they must defend you - as their beloved owner, - and your territory - from all comers- including snakes. )
Hope this advice helps you!
Oh - and btw- at first, we also asked the snake expert about vibrating electric snake repeller's ( put into the ground at intervals) - that are supposed to keep snakes away. He said he had seen snakes SITTING on them! ( Probably getting a nice massage!) So don't be fooled into that idea either!
If you have a snake problem - Good luck !!
