Bird netting is the perfect deterrent to keep birds away from your garden. But, before making a buying decision, you should carry out your research to choose one best suited for your needs.
Many people make the mistake of selecting the wrong bird netting, which proves to be a waste of their money, time, and resources. Here we have listed down essential things you should keep in mind when buying bird net.
1. Bird Behavior
Birds have a habit of migrating in flocks from one area to another. The timing of migration varies from one region to another. But birds usually have a set migrating schedule dependent on the weather conditions of the region.
But sometimes, their schedule can change. A flock of birds that used to pass when the crops were unripe, could also arrive when the fruits are fully ripe. Therefore, before looking for bird netting options, you should determine the kinds of birds that can be a possible threat to your garden in any given season.
2. Mesh Gap
There are various bird netting options available in the market, and each has a specific use. The nets can be categorized based on the gap between the mesh. The size of the hole determines what kind of bird it can deter.
For instance, for small birds like a sparrow, a mesh aperture of 19mm would be perfect. But, for larger birds like crows and pigeons, you need a bigger mesh aperture. Choosing the right mesh also ensures that the birds aren’t harmed.
3. Strength and Weight of the Net
The weight of the netting is dependent on the number of stitches per square meter on the net. The more the stitches, the heavier is the net.
The size and type of holes can also affect the strength of the net. Hexagonal holes have more stitches per side compared to square holes. Triangular-shaped holes are even heavier and sturdier as they have much smaller holes.
4. Material Used
There are different materials used for making bird netting. From lightweight PVC to steel, they have various functionalities and specific uses. Few of them are flexible, while others have sharper edges that can cut those installing or removing them.
According to experts, birds are more frightened of white nets, so they tend to stay away from your harvest if you apply a white net over your crops. But there is no hard and fast rule when it comes to bird netting. You should only choose the material or shape you think will be suitable for your crops.
5. Types of Netting
Bird netting comes in many lengths and widths for multiple uses. Before buying one for your garden, you need to determine whether you need one that covers the rows or one that only serves as a canopy over your plants and so on.
These are the three types of netting:
- Over the Row Netting: This is used for covering the rows of grapevines or berries.
- Side Netting: These nets cover only the fruiting zone part and are easy to install.
- Overhead Netting: These nets serve as a canopy to protect your plants. This acts as a roof over your plants 12 or more inches above them.
If you are looking for affordable and easy to install netting options for your garden, the Superior Fruit Cage Anti-Bird Netting is a great choice. If you want to explore further options, visit Little Fields Farm. They have a variety of anti bird netting for sale with different lengths, widths, mesh, and material to suit every gardener’s needs.
