Best Rabbit and Deer Garden Fence

These three stand out in the product table above for different budgets and needs.

Best overall: the Liquid Fence Deer And Rabbit Repellent Concentrate 40 Ounces, around $174, is our first choice from the table.

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Best value: the Feitore Deer Fence Netting, around $16, is the lowest priced of these three.

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Also great: the 6 Panels Raised Garden Bed Animal Barrier Fence, around $90, is another strong option with a different set of features.

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Deer can clear fences up to six feet under normal circumstances, so most guidance recommends at least seven to eight feet of height for reliable deterrence, since deer are less willing to jump when they cannot see clear landing space on the other side. Sloped or angled fence designs can sometimes work at slightly lower heights by making the jump distance appear longer.

A fence under six feet offers minimal deer protection regardless of other specifications, so height is the first thing to confirm before considering any other feature.

Rabbits can squeeze through surprisingly small gaps, so mesh openings around one inch or smaller near ground level are necessary to keep them out, even though wider mesh higher up the fence is fine for deer deterrence alone.

Choosing the best rabbit and deer garden fence mesh pattern often means a fence with tighter weave at the bottom two feet and looser, less expensive mesh above that height where rabbit exclusion no longer matters.

Rabbits and some other small animals can dig under a fence that sits flush on the surface, so burying the bottom few inches or adding an outward angled apron helps prevent this common workaround. This detail is easy to overlook but often determines whether a fence actually stops rabbits long term.

A buried base combined with adequate mesh size addresses both digging and squeezing, the two most common ways rabbits get past an otherwise adequate fence.

Galvanized steel mesh resists rust and holds up to years of outdoor exposure better than uncoated wire, which can weaken and eventually fail. Polypropylene deer netting is lighter and less expensive but tears more easily and generally needs replacement sooner than metal options.

For a garden fence expected to last multiple seasons without significant maintenance, investing in galvanized metal mesh over lightweight netting usually pays off over time.

How tall does a fence need to be to stop deer?

At least seven to eight feet is generally recommended for reliable deterrence, since deer can clear fences up to around six feet under normal conditions.

What mesh size keeps rabbits out?

Openings around one inch or smaller near ground level are typically needed, since rabbits can squeeze through surprisingly small gaps in wider mesh.

Do I need to bury the bottom of a rabbit fence?

Yes, burying the base a few inches or adding an angled apron helps prevent rabbits from digging underneath, which is one of the most common ways they bypass an otherwise adequate fence.

Can one fence design address both deer and rabbits?

Yes, combining sufficient overall height for deer with tighter mesh specifically at the bottom two feet for rabbits addresses both threats within a single fence structure.

Is deer netting as effective as metal mesh fencing?

Lightweight polypropylene netting can work for moderate deer pressure but tears more easily and needs replacement sooner than galvanized metal mesh, which holds up better long term.

Can an electric fence be combined with physical mesh?

Yes, some gardeners add a low electric wire near the ground alongside physical mesh fencing for extra deterrence against persistent digging or determined animals.

A properly specified fence remains the most dependable defense against both rabbits and deer when repellents alone are not cutting it. Prioritize adequate height, tight mesh near the ground, and a buried base, and browsing damage becomes a thing of the past.