Patent ID: 7434788

Claim:
A pest deterrent fence comprising: a. a first conductive surface having a first voltage potential comprising a first panel having a width; b. a second conductive surface having a second voltage potential comprising a second panel having said width; i. wherein, said second conductive surface is adjacent to and above said first conductive surface in a co-planar relationship; ii. and wherein, said first voltage potential is higher than said second voltage potential; and, c. a continuous separating strip of non-conducting, non-polar and hydrophilic material having a low surface energy, wherein said separating strip comprises a T-shaped dielectric having a leg disposed between and protruding from the first and second conductive surfaces and first and second arms perpendicular to said leg forming said T-shape and abutting said first and second conductive surfaces, said leg having: i. a top horizontal surface having a width sufficiently wider than said width of said first and second conductive surfaces to promote the attraction and beading of water until the mass of a drop of water is sufficiently large to overcome the surface tension binding the drop to said top horizontal surface causing the drop to fall clear of said first and second conductive surfaces; ii. a vertical surface having a thickness and depending from said top horizontal surface and perpendicular thereto; and, iii. a bottom horizontal surface parallel to said top horizontal surface having said width; iv. wherein said dielectric is adapted to prevent moisture from connecting the first and second conductive surfaces.