6 Best Bird Netting [Buyer Guide]
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There isn’t anything as annoying for gardeners as finding their crops damaged by birds. Months of hard labour and effort that goes into growing vegetables, fruits and other crops in your garden can go waste due to the increased activity of pest birds such as pigeons, sparrows and gull. In the United Kingdom, these birds wreak havoc on crops every year. Bird netting is surely the easiest way out of this problem. With anti-bird netting you will be able to prevent these birds from damaging your produce. This is different to a greenhouse which keeps plants at a consistent temperature, as long as you have a reliable greenhouse heater. Bird netting doesn’t cause any kind of harm to the birds and only prevents their access to your property especially areas where you are growing fruit, vegetables and other crops. They can be installed easily and also help in reducing bird droppings which can spoil the aesthetics of your garden.
While there isn’t anything as beautiful as hearing birds chirp in your garden and you may have already spent on the best bird tables but even the enthusiastic birdwatcher in you won’t want to trade it for the fruits and vegetables you grow in the garden. We review the 6 best bird nets below to help you get over the problem of birds destroying crops and plants. We review the bird netting based on aesthetics, durability, whether it is economical, and its different varieties. We also take a more detailed look into thickness of the net, mesh size, treated netting and the installation process. So, if you find that your crops and plants keep getting destroyed by birds, you might well be in the market for bird netting. If you’re wanting to find out more and see which type is right for you, your garden and your budget – keep on reading! If you still have any unanswered questions, we’ve included an FAQ section at the end of this guide, too.
Henry Cowls Mesh Bird Netting
The Henry Cowls Mesh Bird Netting comes from a brand that has been in the business for over 125 years. This product has become one of the best choices for bird netting among gardeners and homeowners. Made from lightweight material, it is very easy to install at the side and can withstand the elements thanks to the chemical treatment that the material undergoes. The net, made from premium quality 6-Strand Polyethylene, offers excellent protection to fruits, vegetables and crops from cat pens, dovecots and other birds. They can be used for protecting chicken runs. It is also good choice for protecting construction sites and other buildings.
The net has been knotted for heavy duty and can serve up to 20 years thanks to the high quality polyethylene fibre used in it. The non-stretch knotting of this net allows it to hold its form and shape even in the event of heavy force being applied onto it. From the price point of view this is among the most affordable bird netting that is available in the market. Henry Cowls Mesh Bird Netting is available in three different shades of colour – black, white and stone grey.
Key Features:
Waterproof and UV stabilized
14 kg per square meter breaking strength
Protects fruits, vegetables, crops etc.
Lightweight and prevents crop damage
Specification:
Brand
Henry Cowls
Colour
Black
Dimensions
8x10m, 2" Mesh
Material
6-strand Polyethylene
Pros
Heavy duty netting lasts up to 20 years
Chemically inert and doesn’t rot
Doesn’t stretch and lose form
Cons
Can’t keep away small birds
Smaller size requires multiple pieces for large sites
Nutley’s Heavy Duty Woven Bird Netting
If you are looking for an anti-bird netting that is super strong and highly flexible to cover those corners where other nets fail, Nutley’s Heavy Duty Woven Bird Netting would be your ideal pick. They have been one of the favourite brands for farmers as well as home gardeners in the United Kingdom for several years now. This bird netting product is ideal for protecting your fruits, vegetables, crops and can also be used for chicken runs. There are many who are using this for covering ponds as its flexibility acts as an advantage over similar products available in the market.
Nutley’s Kitchen Garden has been in the business of making pigeon netting and other types of anti-bird netting for many years and has been known for its quality. The diamond shape of the netting also makes it highly stretchable. High quality polyethylene is used in making these nets and this makes them resistant against mildew and rotting. The netting is extremely lightweight which makes it easy while installation and also allows more manoeuvring along the difficult corners of the gardens. As far as the price of these nets goes they are on the attractive side when compared to similar products in the UK.
Key Features:
UV Stabilized and rot proof
7-10 years life expectancy
Ideal for cages, ponds and gardens
Specification:
Brand
Ohuhu Garden Netting
Colour
Black
Dimensions
8x10m
Material
Polyethylene
Pros
18mm x 18mm mesh size restricts smaller birds
Chemically treated and weather resistant
Highly stretchable
Cons
Low life expectancy of 7-10 years
Highly elastic and can lose form and shape
Ohuhu Heavy Duty Reusable Bird Netting
A full-proof solution to keep all kinds of birds and perhaps even insects away from your crops. The Ohuhu Heavy Duty Reusable Bird Netting is unique thanks to the smaller sizes of the mesh. At 0.6 inch it is surely the best solution to keep sparrows and other small birds from finding their way to your crop. Made from high quality polypropylene it can easily withstand extreme weather conditions and serve you for years. The snag-resistant fabric holds its form and shape even after being reused in different areas of the garden.
Waterproof and rot resistant this can be used for protecting large fruit-bearing trees as well as crops that grow on the ground. It doesn’t get intertwined with leaves as is common with the cheaper nylon nets that are often used. This bird netting being extremely versatile can also be used to protect tree trunks.
Key Features:
Made from durable Polypropylene
Waterproof and rot resistant
Tree trunk protection and fencing
Lightweight and flexible
Specification:
Brand
Ohuhu
Colour
Black
Dimensions
2x20m, 0.6” Mesh
Material
Polypropylene
Pros
Small mesh keeps smallest of bird away
Snag resistant weave
Comes with 50 tie cables
Cons
Smaller mesh makes it visible
Multiple nos. required for large sites
JYCRA White Mesh Bird Netting
Made from Nylon, one of the most popular bird netting materials JYCRA White Mesh Bird Netting combines versatility with cost effectiveness. Extremely lightweight and highly flexible, these nets are extremely easy to install in your garden and keep the tiniest of birds away from your fruit and vegetables. Apart from use as bird netting to protect trees and plants, this is rated for protecting ponds. The material has been UV stabilized which last for years making it further cost effective.
The USP of this nylon net is that it can easily be cut to any size without causing ant damage to the stability and shape of the nets. This offers gardeners extreme flexibility when it comes to installing these nets on any kind of crop – from the tallest fruit bearing trees to the ground kissing vegetable plants. Apart from birds these nets also prevents your cats and other pets from digging up the roots of your precious plants.
Key Features:
Made from lightweight Nylon
Rot resistant and waterproof
Soft and flexible fabric
UV stabilized
Specification:
Brand
JYCRA
Colour
White
Dimensions
4x10m, 2.5 cm Mesh
Material
Nylon
Pros
Lightweight and cost effective
Highly flexible nylon fibre
Can be used to cover ponds
Cons
Snags over time
Nylon gets intertwined with leaves
Ministar Green Anti Bird Netting
Don’t worry about the birds damaging the fruits and vegetables in your garden, the Ministar Green Anti-Bird Netting won’t allow even insects to spoil your flowerbeds. The 1.5 cm mesh size makes it one of the best bird netting products you will find on the market. These nets are made from weather resistant Nylon which has been UV stabilized, making them durable and extremely lightweight. Apart from being used to protect trees and vegetables, these nets are also used in protecting seedlings and herbs from different kinds of prey.
In terms of cost they are highly affordable and ideal for gardeners who are looking to protect large areas on a tight budget. The light green colour of these nets makes them seamlessly blend with your garden. Made from nylon they can easily be cut to any size making them extremely versatile.
Key Features:
Lightweight Nylon bird netting
Rot resistant and UV stabilized
Easy to cut and install
Highly flexible fabric
Specification:
Brand
Ministar
Colour
Light Green
Dimensions
4x10m, 1.5 cm Mesh
Material
Nylon
Pros
Lightweight and affordable
Highly flexible fibre
Can be used to protect seedlings
Cons
Can snags over time
Get intertwined with leaves
Xclou Anti Bird Pond Netting
The last one our list is the Xclou Anti Bird Pond Netting. The brand has gained immense popularity in the recent years among gardeners, thanks to the quality and versatility of their products. The green bird netting, with its extremely dense mesh at 8mm, is an ideal choice for those looking to protect their plants and trees from insects, as well as birds. The small mesh size of this net makes it very flexible and durable with more fabric being used per square meter compared to others on our list. It is also used to protect ponds from preying birds and other creatures.
This green netting can also be used to protect swimming pools from falling leaves. The colour of the net seamlessly merges with the garden. It can be cut to different sizes easily to meet different netting requirements in the garden.
Key Features:
Lightweight Polyester bird netting
Small mesh holes
Easy to install
Pond protection fabric
Specification:
Brand
Xclou
Colour
Green
Dimensions
8x8m, 8mm Mesh
Polyester
Polyester
Pros
Lightweight and cost-effective
Flexible and strong fibre
Can be used to protect ponds
Cons
Visible net covering
Leaves get intertwined
What is Bird Netting?
As the name suggests bird netting are barely visible nets that prevent birds from damaging your crop. This solution has been perfected over a century and is the easiest way to keep out the noisy and destructive birds from your garden and also your property. They act as the perfect barrier between your produce and the birds. Here are some of the reasons why should opt for bird netting in your garden.
Aesthetics – You won’t want to spoil the curb appeal of your garden even when you are protecting them. This is where bird netting is your best option as they are barely visible to the human eye from a distance and allows you to enjoy the colours and magnificence of your garden even when they have been installed.
Durability – While bird netting isn’t a permanent solution it surely can be termed as semi-permanent as modern bird nets are highly durable. Made from strong fibres these can sure you anywhere between 7 and 20 years depending on the product you choose.
Economical – For all the benefits we have mentioned above bird netting is an economical tool. Depending on the size of the garden you will spend a couple hundred pounds to secure your garden from birds and that too for years to come. You’d probably spend more on the best weed killers over a similar time period.
Variety – You can choose from a wide selection of netting depending on the types of birds you wish to keep away. From those that protect the garden against sparrows to larger meshes for bigger birds you always find the product, you are looking for.
When it comes to buying bird netting you’d be spoilt for choice. Visit any online store and you would come across dozens of options. But all netting is not made alike or would serve you for years to come
Here are a few helpful hints to guide you when choosing the best bird netting for your garden.
Thickness
Bird netting comes in a variety of thicknesses. If you are just using this netting in your garden, you don’t need something that is extremely thick.
The most common size for home use is 3mm, this is durable enough to withstand the elements and protect your flower beds from birds. It doesn’t look too industrial either can be easily manipulated to the right shape without expert knowledge. If your garden is prone to balls flying in from other properties, you may want to consider something a little thicker.
Mesh Size
This is the size of the holes throughout the netting. Depending on what size bird you want to keep out (and any other pesky critters) this will determine what size mesh you need.
Sparrows and other small birds can squeeze through holes smaller than 15mm in diameter so if you are wanting to keep your garden completely bird-free, we suggest choosing 8-10mm mesh.
Smaller birds are sometimes a bonus in your garden as they eat those little insects who can wreak havoc on your flowers. If it’s just the larger birds, such as pigeons, you want to keep away then choose 35-50mm mesh.
Treated Netting
Some netting is treated to be flame retardant. While you may not be concerned about fires outside, you never know when a BBQ, fire pit or bonfire could go wrong.
Although treated netting won’t always be prevented from melting, it can stop flames from spreading. Especially if your netting will be placed near wooden fencing or sheds, it is worth having a look into.
Installation
Installing bird netting properly isn’t a simple job. You need to ensure that there are no small gaps left open. Birds can be smarter than you think and will find every opportunity to crawl into your beloved flowerbeds.
Just draping this netting over your flowerbeds won’t work and some form of a structure needs to be put in place. This can be using large stones or paving slabs, wooden posts or a trellis.
It’s an unfortunate fact that your garden won’t look as pristine as before so you need to really think about if you want to sacrifice your aesthetic for bird netting.
Bird Netting On Trees
This is a bit of a sensitive topic. Bird netting on trees prevents little visitors from nesting and can prevent damage to your tree. It is commonly used to stop our feathered friends from making a home before a tree is felled or chopped down.
While it’s up to you if you want to prevent any birds in your trees, you should do some research first. If your tree is home to a protected species, you could end up in some trouble by installing netting.
Even if you don’t see any nesting birds at first, many breeds return to the same tree to raise their young each year. If in doubt, contact the RSPB first.
FAQs
Common questions around bird netting
Where Can I Buy Bird Netting?
The easiest way to quickly find what you want is to look online. As you can see above, Amazon has a brilliant range.
DIY stores and garden centres are also a good alternative to online shopping if you want to see the product in real life.
How Can I Put Bird Netting Over Fruit Trees?
The important thing to know is when to cover your fruit trees. You don’t want to cover them all year round as this can block bees and other pollinators from getting to the flowers. Wait until after pollination to install your bird netting on fruit trees.
You can either make a frame around the tree (good for delicate plants and to stop birds pecking through the netting) or drape the netting directly over. If choosing to drape, make sure you tie a knot at the bottom around the trunk to stop any sneaky birds or squirrels flying in.
How Can I Build A Frame For Bird Netting?
Think of a three-dimensional photo frame and that’s what needs to be made. A cube or rectangle needs to be constructed that is larger than your foliage, to allow growth. You can use wood, thick sticks or metal poles.
Then stretch your mesh and secure in place with nails, screws or a staple gun. Make sure there are absolutely no gaps. Leave one side uncovered as this is how you will place your frame over your desired plant.
Dig a small trench in the ground where the frame is to sit and once the frame is in place, build up the soil so prevent anything digging its way in.
How do I install heavy-duty bird netting?
We’ve included a video here explaining everything you need to know for the installation of heavy-duty bird netting, check it out!
Further Reading
If you’re still wanting more information about bird netting, we’ve also included some further reading for you linked here.