Electric Fence for Squirrels

[Harveyshot]

I ended up at this site when searching for 'Electric Fence Forums' so I hope this is ok.
I'm retired and I've got a hobby project that I hope will work. I have a nectarine tree that is decimated each year by squirrels. I won't kill them but I'm looking for a way to keep them out of my tree.
As I understand it, an electric fence needs the animal to be touching the ground and the wire to get the shock, correct? But you can't do that with squirrels, so my idea is to pound 4 stakes around the tree (about 8' circumference), then place 2"x5' PVC pipe over the posts. Then I'm going to cut 6"x8' strips of 1/2" hardware cloth and attach them to the PVC pipe around the tree with about 1" spacing between the strips, all the way up the pipe.
This is the part I'm unsure of. I'll attach the ground wire from the charger to every other strip of hardware cloth and the hot wire to the others. When the squirrel tries to climb the hardware cloth, he should (in theory) touch a hot and ground strip at the same time to get the shock. Yes? No?
There are no other trees close enough for the squirrels to jump from.
It'll involve some work and expense but Like I said, I'm retired and this is a keep busy project and I'd like to eat some of my nectarines.
Let me know what you think.
Thank you.

 

[Railroader]

I once ran a strand at the base of my chain link fence to keep the dog from digging out.

It worked, but I killed a few squirrels in the process...

 

[livinoutdoors]

If the tree is by itself you just need something to keep them from climbing the trunk. I would think about making some kinda slippery metal or plastic circle at the base. No electricity needed.

 

[fishfryer]

If the tree is by itself you just need something to keep them from climbing the trunk. I would think about making some kinda slippery metal or plastic circle at the base. No electricity needed.

Yes Sir,aluminum flashing is a lot cheaper than electricity would be. Even with an overhead net.

 

[Harveyshot]

Thanks for all the replies but I'm half way through the project. I decided to ask around a little late. But the question remains: will it work?

 

[livinoutdoors]

If the strips are grounded it will just discharge the electric fence. The hot part of the fence is open till an animal contacts it then zap. If the hot part of the fence is grounded no zap.

 

[JustUs4All]

If every other strip is charged from the charger and every other trip is grounded it will shock anything that touches both strips.

 

[JustUs4All]

The ground wires will need to be insulated from the charged wires so that they don't accidentally ground out the charged wire.

 

[livinoutdoors]

If every other strip is charged from the charger and every other trip is grounded it will shock anything that touches both strips.

Good idear!

 

[Harveyshot]

I'm trying to scan a pic I drew of the set up but printer is giving me problems. If the ground wire from the charger goes directly to the strips (every other one) and not the actual ground (dirt) shouldn't it work? The bottom strip will not touch the ground (dirt), just the PVC pipe. The hot wire will go directly to the other strips.

If every other strip is charged from the charger and every other trip is grounded it will shock anything that touches both strips.

Thanks. That is the plan. Any recommendations on wire gauges for connecting the strips? Will alligator clips work? Lowest voltage to not kill the squirrels?

 

[Harveyshot]

Also, if the lowest strip is touching the mulch (typical red stuff), will it affect the shock value?

 

[Harveyshot]

 

[livinoutdoors]

Man that is quite the system there. Complete the circuit with a test subject and see how good the shock is.

 

[Harveyshot]

Man that is quite the system there. Complete the circuit with a test subject and see how good the shock is.

Will do. Maybe my wife will volunteer.

 

[NCHillbilly]

Also, if the lowest strip is touching the mulch (typical red stuff), will it affect the shock value?

Yes.