Construction of Your Pest-Proof Fence
Typical Fence Construction Steps
The construction of an Xcluder® pest-proof fence typically follows a similar series of steps from the conceptual phase to final completion.
Design / Planning
The first phase of the construction of a pest-proof fence is for Xcluder® staff to inspect the proposed site with the client. During this inspection, Xcluder® walk over and view the proposed fence line, allowing them to determine any specific requirements for construction and fencing components.
The inspection enables a detailed proposal to be prepared, outlining all factors relating to the fence including the alignment, earthworks required, type of pest proof fence best suited to the site, additional components required and the cost. It is also a great opportunity to meet and understand the aims and visions of the project, and discuss all of the elements involved in building an effective pest-proof fence.
The design and planning process is the perfect opportunity to discuss with our customers who does what. Some customers want the full package, where Xcluder provide everything from concept to completed fence in a one-stop shop. Other customers have their own resources that they can use in the project (e.g. they can do their own earthworks or have their own post supplier). We are flexible about how much or how little we do to help get your project completed successfully to a pest proof standard. Contact us to discuss your needs.
Earthworks
Earthworks along the fence line may be required to provide a stable long-term base and to protect the fence base from erosion. Xcluder® normally uses a standard farm-track/roading earthworks prescription which has been demonstrated to be highly effective in a wide variety of terrain and soil types.
On steeper fence sections, across gullies and through areas of scrub and trees, a 4 to 5m wide fence platform is usually formed using a digger. A platform of this width is necessary to accommodate the fence, provide room on the outside of the fence for a vehicle to pass for fence inspections, and room on the up-hill side for the construction of a water table to trap and channel all runoff. Surface water runoff tends to bounce off Xcluder's® fencing mesh, causing accelerated erosion; for this reason we must prevent water flowing through the line of the fence in any concentrated way by mounding the fence platform, creating water tables, and drawing surface runoff under the fence through screened culverts. The longer and steeper the section of fence, the greater the number and frequency of cut-out culverts that will be required.
Construction of the Base Fence
The first stage of fence construction involves the construction of the base fence. The base fence provides the structural support required to carry the pest-proof mesh and hood structure. The base fence framework consists of posts (either treated-wooden aluminium, galvanised steel or stainless steel) positioned along the fence length with stainless steel supporting wires. Commonly, fence posts are as close as 2 metres apart.
Pest Proofing
The second stage of fence construction is to attach the pest proofing materials to the base fence. Pest proofing materials include Xcluder® fencing mesh (commonly stainless steel 316 welded fence mesh, coloured karaka green) and Colorsteel rolled hood. A mesh 'skirt' extends out from the fence to prevent pests digging under the fence. (See Fence Design Section)
To ensure every fence built is completely pest proof, Xcluder® has developed a rigorous quality control programme for staff and any contractors working on our fence lines. Each fence we construct is built to detailed specifications and is rigorously inspected repeatedly through the period of construction.
Installation of Additional Components
For a pest fence to be fully effective, and for pest eradication to be achieved the constructed fence must be 100% effective at excluding all target pests around its entire perimeter. Waterways, drains, gates, and abutting fences must all be made pest-proof. Xcluder® have designed, developed and tested several specialised components to accompany its base fence designs:
Xcluder® watergates and fish passage:
Xcluder® have developed a pest-proof watergate design for permanently flowing streams that opens under high or flood flows and closes again when flow returns to normal levels.
Xcluder® pedestrian, vehicle and automated gates:
Xcluder® has developed a selection of fail-safe, pest-proof pedestrian and vehicle access gate systems that cannot be left open or ajar by careless operators. The gate systems available range from small pedestrian cages for landowners to large scale public access pedestrian cages, and from manually operated vehicle gates to fully automated double vehicle gate systems for large volume public entrances.
Electronic surveillance:
For larger sites we recommend Xcluder's® Remote Electronic Surveillance System which provides 24 hour a day reporting of any fence breach caused by tree fall etc and reports any vehicle, pedestrian or water gate left open. We see remote surveillance as an essential monitoring tool, especially where the risk of tree fall is a threat to fence integrity and/or where there are likely to be frequent gate openings (e.g. on auto and maintenance gates). Recent research, funded by the University of Waikato and Xcluder®, has demonstrated that pest animals are likely to detect and use fence breaches within a relatively short time of the breach occurring (See Research Page for details).
Final Inspection and Signoff
Following the completion of the pest-proof fence, Xcluder® arrange for an independent inspection to be undertaken of the entire fenceline, after which the fence can be signed off as complete.
