Foxes and rabbits remain a serious issue for many rural and semi-rural properties in Western Australia. A fence alone will not solve every pest problem, but a well-designed exclusion system can become an important part of a broader property management plan.
Exclusion Fencing Is About Detail
The success of an exclusion fence often comes down to what happens at the bottom, at crossings, and around gateways. A fence that looks strong from a distance may still fail if the mesh opening is wrong, the apron is inadequate, or the line leaves obvious entry points around structures.
Properties dealing with rabbit pressure usually need to think about digging behaviour and the way pest traffic concentrates along easy travel lines. Fox control may require greater attention to height, pressure points, and where the fence joins other structures.
WA landholders usually get better outcomes when they map the problem areas first instead of fencing everything the same way regardless of terrain or animal pressure.
Key Points To Check
A useful exclusion design usually starts with the pest behaviour you are trying to interrupt.
- Inspect low points, drains, and gate thresholds because pests often exploit these first.
- Match mesh size and fence detailing to the specific pest pressure on the property.
- Review nearby vegetation and shelter that may funnel animal movement toward the fence.
- Treat repairs quickly because small openings can quickly become repeated access points.
Exclusion fencing works best when the weak points are designed out before pests find them.
Use Fencing As Part Of A Broader Strategy
Even a strong exclusion fence performs better when combined with sensible property management, routine inspection, and targeted control measures outside the fence line.
If foxes or rabbits are creating ongoing losses, reviewing fence design and pressure points can be a practical step toward a more manageable system.
