Abstract: A method for inhibiting ingress of small animals into a utility installation and/or a municipal site includes the step of: surrounding the utility installation and/or municipal site with a fencing system. The fencing system includes: a plurality of anchored posts, a fencing material spans the posts and is affixed thereto, the fencing material has an upper edge portion, and an animal barrier extends along and is affixed to the upper edge portion, the animal barrier is semi-annular in vertical cross-section with an outward convex surface and an inward concave surface, the concave surface faces the fencing material. Whereby, when the small animal attempts ingress over the fencing system, the animal barrier inhibits that ingress to the utility installation and/or municipal site.