a fence for home perimeter defense

Home Perimeter Defense Deterrence Security Tips

Home security is about layers. The further out that you can deter, or stop a burglar /threat, the better. Your home perimeter defense strategy is first that of your outermost layer.

Your primary home security goal should be first and foremost – to deter. This can be accomplished subtly, and this can be done “in your face”, so to speak. I prefer a combination of the two.

Your goal should be to make your home – property – look like (to a burglar /criminal) that it’s more trouble or risk than it’s worth.

Here’s how:

Outer Layer Of Home Perimeter Defense

Sight Lines From The Street – Block with Perimeter Fence, Shrubs…

First, concentrate on your outer layer — the perimeter at which a burglar or criminal threat will see your home. If they can’t see it from the street, that’s even better.

A perimeter fence. Although a fence may not keep everyone out, it does give them something to think about. Risk versus reward. If someone makes the decision to jump the fence, well, you know they’re up to no good.

The idea is, you want the burglar /threat to think (believe) that the risk of going beyond that perimeter – won’t be worth the reward for doing so. 

Trees, shrubs, thorny flora, a solid fence, anything that obscures or eliminates the sight-line to the house.

Posted Signs

Signage located near public access will make anyone think twice. A simple sign might be all that it takes to cause a burglar /threat to move on to easier targets. A posted sign tells them (anyone) that you’ve thought of this scenario and therefore you are better prepared for it than others.

The words on the sign are up to you and your intended tone.

No Trespassing
Private Property
Keep Out

Another very effective sign is one that indicates video surveillance.

Legal Tip: It is advised to not use signs that emphasize violence of “personal harm” to someone for trespassing. If “something” happens, it’s going to hurt your legal case. 

Animal Deterrence – A Dog

Most every dog will bark when someone enters the perimeter. Even when someone is outside the perimeter! Even my little dog – a mini Dachshund will bark very surprisingly loud for a little guy…

perimeter security

Large Dog Bone On Porch

Step back from the house and look at what the burglar sees. If the criminal observes an enormous dog bone on the porch (available at most any Pet store), that’s a visual cue that trouble could be nearby. That alone might cause the would-be burglar to high tail it outta there… not knowing if Wolfy is inside the house or already outside somewhere about to bite his a$$.

Having said that, even better would be actually having your own ‘Wolfy’ ;) A dogs ears are far better than ours and a dog will bark before you even know someone’s approaching. When the intruder hears the dog, he will also know that you heard it too… That changes everything…

Alarm Decals or Sign

I’ve read a statistic that you are 300 percent more likely to be a target without an alarm system. You want the burglar to know (or to think) that you have an alarm system – whether you actually do or not…

Yard signs or security system window decals will do the trick.

ADT window stickers
(amzn)

Security Camera

You do not need to have a security camera system to create the illusion that you have one… There are plenty of fake security cameras that appear very real and functional. A burglar who spots a security camera will most certainly think again about proceeding with the break-in. If there’s one outside, then he’ll think that there’s surely more inside (as well as the likelihood of a security system).

Fake Security Cameras
(amzn)

Outdoor Motion Lights

An excellent source of home perimeter defense. Burglars do not like lights. While many homes do already have an outdoor motion light, consider adding yet another for further and improved perimeter coverage.

[ Read: My Favorite Outdoor Motion Light ]

[ Read: Solar Motion Lights for Home Security – Mount Them Anywhere ]

Driveway Alarm

It depends how long your driveway or road is. There are a number of ways to do this. The simplest is an infrared beam that triggers an alarm at the base in your house. Motion alarms. Magnetic driveway alarms (detects vehicles – not false alarms with animals). Although the burglar /threat doesn’t know it (so its not a deterrent for them), at least it lets YOU know.

[ Read: Wireless Driveway Alarm Up To Half A Mile Range Distance ]

[ Read: Wireless Driveway Alarm Up To Half A Mile Range Distance ]

What are your thoughts for home perimeter defense deterrence?

[ Read: BuddyBar Door Jammer | My Home Security Door Bar Review ]

14 Comments

  1. I have blackberry bushes all around my home which funnels people to the front door. Combines food storage and protection. A person could force their way through but they would really have to want to come from the side or back to endure that

    1. Poorman,mix in a few punji sticks in the blackberry bushes for the one idiot that tries it. To help hold up the bushes of course…

  2. The rabbits don’t seem to mind the cactus along the fence line. Everything else steers clear.

    I’d add blackberries to the mix but can’t seem to get them to grow.

  3. M18 Claymores…..nothing says “No Trespassing” like a claymore.

    1. Romeo Charlie, as long as no blackberry bushes are harmed in the process.
      That would be tragic…LOL

      1. Scout,
        I like the way you think. The power of persuasion combined with their natural desire to retain essential body fluids.

  4. We have several security cams around the house, with placards that state 24/7 video surveillance.
    Do they work?
    No/yes, maybe, but they look good.
    The two boys(dogs) go after each other when I let them out after work. An all out cat fight, that is well heard.
    Fenced back yard. Fenced side yards are next on the agenda.
    Brush and bramble will be applied on road side property lines.

  5. Keep bees with trip wires that jostle the hives.

    Buy thistle seed for your bird feeders, toss handfuls around your perimeter and they all grow. (It takes years to get rid of them)!

    Put some (a few drops) skunk scent in balloons with string and tie to branches/brush in likely concealment places. A trip wire propelling a pin into the balloon, or a well-placed bb or pellet will send an aromatic aerosol spray around anyone there. I guess you could use some strong perfume if you do not like skunk scent on your trespasser.

    Bear boards (boards with nails sticking out) under windows.

    Vaseline on the doorknob.

    Mannequin hiding in the dark with a motion sensor flashlight and recording saying, “May I help you.”

    and the list goes on………….

  6. I have a nest of yellow jackets that live in the ground on the street side of my property. They are in a nest at the base of a tree close to the fence. I used to have lot of traps for them and really kept their numbers down in warmer months until I realized they pollinate flowers and are good at daytime security. In the past several years, I have removed several yellow jacket traps and I plant more flowers in the area. The yellow jackets are pretty good neighbors.

  7. If we add a fence does this expand our house curtilage as defined by the 4th amendment to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures as we are secure in our houses? Does a government authority have to respect the perimeter of the fence as the edge of the extension of a house’s curtilage?

    1. Not so sure,
      Never expect any gov authority or representative to respect any law unless it is to their benefit.

Comments are closed.