Learn How to deter alligators

Alligators and snakes are everywhere in the Lowcountry, and sadly sometimes that involves your yard. The best method to keep them at bay is with a solid, well-built fence, according to experts.  That stated, there is no solution that works 100 percent of the time.

Silky Terrier Dog Breed Playing Aro... Silky Terrier Dog Breed Playing Around

“There’s no fool-proof way to keep any rodent out of your yard.

Wildlife has an odd way of getting in places where you don’t expect them to be,” says Dean Harrigal, wildlife scientist with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.

“I’ve seen photographs of gators climbing fences, and snakes can get through the slightest crevice.”

Deter

According to Harrigal, single-strand electric fences have the greatest promise in terms of keeping alligators away from homes.

As Harrigal explains, “we commonly employ electric fences to keep domestic animals in while keeping wildlife out.”

“In certain instances, an electric fence that is correctly installed and is a couple of inches above the ground could be a reasonably effective deterrent to gators.” According to Josh Skinner, region manager for electric fence manufacturer Gallagher North America, higher voltage electric fences are recommended to keep gators out.

Gallagher manufactures warning signs to be placed on fences, but if someone is unfortunate enough to come into contact with a fence, they should be fine.

Despite the fact that “it’s not going to feel nice,” Skinner assures that “it’s not going to hurt you physically.”

Electric fences have a low impedance, which means that energy passes through them in pulses rather than continuously.

They are effective in keeping unwanted animals out; but, because the flow is not constant, anyone who comes into contact with one has enough time to get away between pulses.