Bird Netting: The Best Protection for Your Garden

Birds play a beneficial role in gardens by controlling harmful insects and bringing joy with their melodic songs and vibrant colors. However, when vegetables, berries, and fruits begin to ripen, birds can become pests themselves.

The greatest damage to crops is caused by starlings, thrushes, sparrows, jays, jackdaws, and crows. Thrushes prefer cherries, currants, and gooseberries; sparrows target berries and tomatoes; jackdaws and crows go after watermelons and melons; jays favor corn and nuts. Starlings eat various berries but are particularly harmful to sweet cherries. Even a small flock of starlings can destroy or damage an entire cherry harvest within minutes.

To save your crop without harming birds, bird protection netting is an ideal solution. It effectively safeguards fruit trees (cherry, sweet cherry, plum), berry bushes (grapes, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries), vegetable crops (tomatoes, cucumbers), and melons (watermelons, melons).

Alternative Protection Methods

In addition to netting, other bird deterrent methods include:

• Sound deterrents: wind chimes, ultrasonic devices, recordings of predator bird calls;
  
  

• Visual deterrents: scarecrows, reflective tapes and discs, predator decoys;
  
  

• Natural repellents: aromatic plants (lavender, rosemary), sprays with bitter substances.
  
  

However, these methods have low effectiveness. Only tree netting can provide maximum protection.

Advantages of Bird Netting

Compared to alternative methods, netting offers several significant benefits:

• High Effectiveness
  Provides up to 95–99% protection by creating a physical barrier that blocks birds from accessing fruits, vegetables, and berries.
  
  

• Eco-Friendliness
  Unlike chemical repellents or traps, netting is harmless to birds. It also allows air and sunlight to pass through, supporting plant growth and fruit ripening.
  
  

• Durability
  With proper care and storage, high-quality netting can last several seasons. It contains UV stabilizers that resist sun damage.
  
  

• Versatility
  Suitable for protecting everything from strawberry bushes to fruit trees, vegetable beds, and even flower beds. It's also used on snail farms to protect snails from predatory birds.
  
  

• Cost-Effectiveness
  The investment pays off in the first season by preserving your harvest.
  
  

• Ease of Installation
  Installing bird netting is quick and doesn’t require special skills. It can be draped over frames, poles, bushes, or trees and secured at the edges.
  
  

Cost Effectiveness: Calculations

The investment pays for itself within the first season. Suppose bird-related crop losses amount to 3 000–7 000. Bird netting costs about 100–4 000, depending on area. In this case, you could save 1 500–3 000 the first year, and up to 7 000 in following years.

How to Choose the Right Netting

When selecting bird netting, pay attention to the material and mesh size. The best material is polymer—although relatively expensive, it lasts several years. It is flexible, stretch- and tear-resistant, and stands up well to weather, UV exposure, and chemicals. Polymer does not rot, rust, attract insects, or mold. Plastic is cheaper, but it degrades quickly under environmental stress.

The optimal mesh size is 15–25 mm. Larger openings allow birds through, while smaller ones restrict light and insect pollination.

The most popular options are dark green or black, as they blend naturally into garden landscapes.

When evaluating size, ensure the netting completely covers the plant. Add 20–30% extra material to secure it properly.

Installation Methods

Bird netting can be installed in several ways:

1. Draping – The simplest method. Just cover the plant and secure the edges.
   
   

2. Frame construction – Build a frame from wood or metal and stretch the netting over it.
   
   

3. Using existing supports – Ideal for grapevines. Attach netting to the trellis posts.
   
   

Practical Tips

Install protection in advance to prevent damage to unripe fruit. Stretch the net tightly to avoid sagging, which could trap birds. Secure edges firmly to the frame or ground.
Make sure to allow access for plant care and harvesting by lifting or opening the netting when needed. Regularly inspect the material and repair any damage found.

Conclusion
Bird protection netting is the best choice for your garden. It combines high efficiency, eco-friendliness, and economic value. When selected and installed properly, it preserves your crops and provides long-lasting protection. No more sharing your harvest with feathered intruders.