Installing a fence to mark out your property is an essential step, but it should not be done at the expense of nature. Your garden is a valuable link in the green and blue network, an ecological corridor for many species. An impassable fence can fragment their habitat and isolate them. Fortunately, it is entirely possible to combine security and respect for biodiversity by creating passages for small wildlife. Hedgehogs, toads, lizards and other small mammals will then be able to continue moving around freely.
Why is it important to let small wildlife through?
A garden enclosed by walls or concrete base walls becomes a true fortress that local wildlife cannot get through. The hedgehog, for example, needs to travel several kilometres each night to find food and a mate. Preventing it from moving around condemns it to isolation and hunger. By helping these animals get through, you contribute to maintaining natural balances. These small visitors are often valuable allies for gardeners: they feed on slugs, snails and insects, helping to regulate pest populations without you having to use chemicals.
Creating passages in your fence helps combat habitat fragmentation, one of the main causes of biodiversity loss. Your property then becomes a relay point—a safe crossing that connects the different green spaces in the neighbourhood. It is a simple but powerful step to protect the common local wildlife that lives near us.
Adapting your existing fence for garden wildlife
Do you already have a rigid panel fence or a low wall and want to adapt it? Nothing could be simpler. The idea is to create one or more small openings at the base—”tunnels” that will allow animals to slip from one garden to the next. For a hedgehog, a 13×13 cm opening is more than enough. You can make this opening by cutting a few bars at the bottom of a rigid wire mesh panel or by creating a small hole in a concrete base wall.
Another solution is to raise your fence slightly off the ground. A gap of 10 to 15 cm between the bottom of your mesh and the soil will allow most small animals to pass through without difficulty. Consider creating several of these passages, especially if your property is large, to offer wildlife different options and prevent it from getting trapped. This is a minor change that does not compromise the security of your installation in any way.
What type of fence should you choose to respect biodiversity?
If you are starting from scratch, choosing the type of fence is crucial. To combine peace of mind with respect for nature, some models are better suited than others. The most permeable solutions are often the simplest and most affordable.
- Flexible chain-link mesh: With its wide mesh and no concrete base wall, it naturally lets small wildlife pass along the ground.
- A wooden fence in “slatted” style: The gaps between the vertical or horizontal slats allow many animals to move through, while preserving your privacy.
- A chestnut paling fence (ganivelle): Attractive and rustic, its spaced stakes make it very easy for wildlife to cross.
Conversely, solid walls, concrete panels and fences with continuous base walls are real ecological barriers. If you need to install them for sound insulation or security reasons, be sure to integrate dedicated wildlife passages.
Flexible chain-link mesh: a simple, effective solution
Flexible chain-link mesh in rolls is undoubtedly one of the most attractive options if you want a functional fence that respects the environment. Its very structure is an advantage: the mesh, often 50×50 mm or larger, can let even the smallest animals through. Above all, installing it does not require creating a continuous concrete foundation along the entire length. Anchored by posts and struts, the bottom of the mesh is often slightly raised off the ground, creating a natural passageway.
This solution is not only affordable and easy to install, it also blends perfectly into a planted environment. You can train climbing plants on it, providing shelter and a food source for insects and birds, further strengthening your fence’s ecological role.
Consider living hedges for a 100% natural fence
The ideal solution for biodiversity remains the native hedgerow or living hedge. Made up of local, varied species (hazel, hawthorn, elder, holly, etc.), it provides food and shelter for a multitude of species. Birds nest there, pollinating insects find nectar, and small ground-dwelling wildlife can move through discreetly, sheltered from predators. It is a living fence that changes with the seasons.
To combine the benefits of a hedge with the security of a traditional fence, you can absolutely combine the two. Install single-twist chain-link mesh or rigid panels and plant your hedge along it. The mesh will provide an immediate boundary for your property while the hedge grows and, over time, becomes a dense plant barrier and an outstanding reservoir of biodiversity.
Expert in fencing, gates, and outdoor landscaping since 2019.
Holds a Master’s degree in Digital Marketing – SEO, UX/UI.
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