How to Proof Grape Vine Rows From Raccoons

In the 1930s, members of the Nazi party introduced North American raccoons into Germany as a means of spicing up the local flora and fauna. Today, these introduced species are a regular threat to German vineyards. A vineyard overrun by raccoons may face the loss of an entire harvest. This example serves as a cautionary tale of what determined wild animals such as raccoons can do to American vineyards as well. But there are methods that you can use to protect grape vine rows from raccoons.

• 1

  Insert electric fencing posts in the ground every 8 feet using fence post drivers. Insert a grounding rod into the ground every 50 feet.

• 2

  Attach electric fencing insulators to the fencing posts at a point 2 inches off of the ground. Attach a second set of anchors at a point 4 to 5 inches off of the ground.

• 3

  Stretch fencing wire between the insulators. Place one wire 2 inches off the ground and the second wire 4 to 5 inches off the ground. Stretch a separate length of wire between each of the grounding rods.

• 4

  Clip a length of wire with wire cutters so that it is 2 to 3 inches long. Wrap each end of wire around one of the stretched rows of wires.

• 5

  Hang an electric fencing box in a sheltered location near one end of the fence. Connect the terminal marked with a positive sign (+) to the topmost fencing wire by wrapping one end of a piece of wire around the terminal post and the other end of the wire around the fence. Connect the terminal marked with the negative sign (-) to the first grounding post by wrapping one end of wire around the terminal post and the other end of the wire around the first ground rod.

• 6

  Connect the electrical fence box to an electrical outlet to activate the electrical fence. The fence will discourage raccoons from crossing the barrier to access the grape vines.