Beginner
4 ft × 8 ft × 2 ft tall frame over bed
1.5 – 2.5 hours
$50 – $110
Raised Bed Critter Cage
A lightweight wood and wire cage that sits on a raised bed to protect crops from chewing and digging pests.
Estimated cost
$50 – $110
Estimated time
1.5 – 2.5 hours
Lifespan
8–12 years
Soil needed
None — protective cover
Weight empty
25–45 lbs
Weight full
35–55 lbs with mesh
Best for
Keeping rabbits, squirrels, and birds out of vegetables while letting pollinators in
Placement
Build it to fit your raised bed exactly. Add a hinged top for easy harvesting.
Boards to Buy
| Boards to Buy | Quantity | What You Use Them For |
|---|---|---|
| 2×2 lumber, 8 ft | 4 | Frame |
| 1/2 inch hardware cloth, 4 ft × 25 ft | 1 | Walls and top |
| Exterior hinges | 2 | Lid |
| Exterior screws, 2 inch | 1 lb | Frame |
- ·Staples for attaching mesh
- ·Hook-and-eye latch for lid
- ·Optional: shade cloth cover for summer
Steps
- 1Build a 4×8 foot rectangle to match your bed top.
- 2Cut uprights 2 feet tall at each corner.
- 3Attach a matching top rectangle to form a box frame.
- 4Staple hardware cloth around all sides and the top.
- 5Hinge one side of the top for a door.
- 6Set the cage over the bed and anchor with ground staples or U-bolts.
- 7Plant and harvest through the hinged lid.
Tools needed
- ·Circular or miter saw
- ·Cordless drill / driver
- ·Staple gun
- ·Wire cutters
Common mistakes to avoid
- ·Mesh holes too big — baby rabbits squeeze through
- ·No door — harvesting is a pain
- ·Frame not anchored — animals push it off
- ·Top not high enough for tall crops
Maintenance tips
Check mesh for holes each spring. Tighten anchors after wind. Oil hinges on the lid.
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