Quick answer
For stopping rabbits and groundhogs, the CritterGuard Cedar Fence System is the better choice because its integrated mesh barrier blocks small burrowing animals. A classic wooden picket fence works well for larger pests like deer and provides a traditional look, but it won't seal out smaller diggers.
Why barrier design matters for pest control
The main difference between these two fences is how they stop animals. A picket fence uses vertical boards spaced a few inches apart, which blocks the view and larger animals but leaves gaps that rabbits and groundhogs can squeeze through or dig under. The CritterGuard system combines cedar boards with a built-in mesh that extends below the soil line, creating a physical barrier that burrowing pests cannot bypass.
Installation and setup differences
The picket fence comes as a 4-pack of 12 ft x 16 in sections that you can arrange in circles or straight lines. It requires stakes or posts to stand upright and may need additional anchoring to prevent animals from pushing underneath. The CritterGuard raised garden bed is a complete system with 3/4 in thick cedar boards and routed corner posts that assemble without tools. Its mesh is already attached, so you don't have to install a separate barrier.
Trade-offs between picket fence and CritterGuard
- Pest control capability: Picket fence blocks larger animals but leaves gaps and an open bottom. CritterGuard's mesh extends below soil to stop burrowing pests like rabbits and groundhogs.
- Ease of installation: Picket fence sections are flexible and can be arranged in circles or straight lines but require separate posts or stakes. CritterGuard assembles tool-free with routed corner posts. If you want a quick, no-tools setup, CritterGuard saves time.
- Aesthetic and material: Picket fence offers a classic garden look with water-based paint. CritterGuard uses untreated cedar that weathers naturally and resists rot without paint. Choose picket fence for a painted, traditional appearance; choose CritterGuard for a natural cedar finish.
Product facts at a glance
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Brown Wooden Garden Picket Fence 12 ft x 16 in (4 Pack) RC24B-4PK: Flexible fencing can form circles or straight lines and is 12 ft long x 16 in high. You can adapt the picket fence to irregular garden shapes, but its height and open design may not stop determined diggers.
Brown Wooden Garden Picket Fence 12 ft x 16 in (4 Pack) RC24B-4PK
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Premium Cedar Raised Garden Bed with CritterGuard® Cedar Fence System 4 ft x 4 ft x 10.5 in (3/4 in Thick) RC4T12BCG: Made in the USA from untreated, naturally rot-resistant cedar with sanded 3/4 in thick boards and routed corner posts for easy assembly. The CritterGuard system is built to last outdoors without chemical treatments, and its integrated mesh provides pest protection right out of the box.
Premium Cedar Raised Garden Bed with CritterGuard® Cedar Fence System 4 ft x 4 ft x 10.5 in (3/4 in Thick) RC4T12BCG
Which fence fits your garden?
Best for
- Gardeners with persistent rabbit or groundhog problems who need a barrier that blocks burrowing
- Anyone who wants a complete raised bed and fence system that installs without tools
Not for
- Those who need a tall fence to deter deer (CritterGuard is only 10.5 in high)
- Gardeners who prefer a painted, traditional picket fence look over natural cedar