"Will Chicken Wire Keep Out Raccoons?"

It’s Called Chicken Wire And Not Raccoon Wire For A Reason!

Chicken wire has been the go-to for homeowners looking for a DIY solution to their animal problem. They try nailing, screwing and stapling this wire to their decks, sheds and roofs in an attempt to keep raccoons and other animals from living in and around their home.

Chicken wire was originally designed to contain chickens in their coop. It was never intended to keep animals that can manipulate (claw, dig, and pull) the wire out. Chicken wire is very thin, breaks easily and will stretch, often forming a noose around an animals neck as they attempt to push through it. Over the years, we have been called out to perform many rescues of live animals stuck with chicken wire around their neck and other body parts. We sadly have also had to respond to many calls where the animal did not survive.

Gates Wildlife uses a sturdy galvanized 1” by 1” screen that can not be manipulated by wildlife.

Please do NOT use chicken wire as a means to animal proof your home and other structures.

The chicken wire was used in the situation to keep raccoons from living underneath the deck. Fortunately they were not harmed while gaining access under this deck.