Bird & Orchard Netting: Mesh Sizes and Frame Ideas

1. Bird & Orchard Netting: Mesh Sizes and Frame Ideas Keeping fruit safe from birds, insects and storms starts with the right net and a smart frame. Good choices protect the crop without harming wildlife, and they stand up to sun, wind and rain. Why mesh size matters Mesh size is more than a technical detail. In Victoria, household fruit-tree netting must have a mesh aperture of 5 mm by 5 mm or less at full stretch. That rule has applied since 1 September 2021 and it’s enforced to prevent wildlife injuries. A quick check helps: if you can’t poke a finger through the mesh, you’re on the right track. NSW guidance echoes the same aperture and recommends light-coloured, taut netting that wildlife can see and avoid. South Australian fact sheets also advise small apertures, sturdy weave and a firm set-up to reduce entanglement.

2. Matching mesh to the pest Bird exclusion over backyard trees or commercial rows typically uses small-aperture fabric that sits tight and resists stretching. Use bird netting that meets the 5 mm legal limit for household settings in Victoria and keep it tensioned so it doesn’t sag onto branches where animals can snag. Cross-weave product styles are widely used in orchards because they sit flat and resist damage. For insect pressure, finer weave is required. Trials in Queensland orchards achieved complete exclusion of fruit fly with 2 mm mesh, confirming that tight fabric and a sealed perimeter make a real difference. Purpose-made fruit fly netting comes in woven HDPE with reinforced selvedges so it can be clipped or zipped without tearing, and it slightly reduces light and wind to calm the canopy. Seal edges at ground level and around trunks to avoid gaps. Hail and sun are separate threats that can ruin a season overnight. Purpose-built hail netting reduces impact energy from stones and also cuts midday radiation, which helps with fruit sunburn on hot days. Queensland and national horticulture resources note that permanent canopy systems provide protection from hail, wind and sun, while still allowing adequate airflow over apples and other crops. Frame ideas that work Backyard trees: Simple arches made from star pickets and poly pipe create a tall hoop that keeps net off foliage and fruit. A light timber cube with corner braces offers straight edges for zips or Velcro flaps. For either style, add ground pins or battens to secure skirts, and keep the top surface smooth so netting doesn’t abrade in wind. Small orchards: A drape system can be run down each row using end assemblies with a ridge cable. Nets pull over the canopy with a pole and tie off along the bottom wire. This approach is relatively low-cost and easy to remove for pruning. Permanent canopies: Galvanised posts with ridge and perimeter cables form a fixed grid over multiple rows. Corner stays carry most of the load; internal posts reduce spans. Use knitted or cross-weave net with tensioned edges, bird-safe apertures and proper joiners, and include access points with zippered or roll-up doors. Wildlife-friendly permanent designs are documented by South Australian environmental agencies and remain a reliable choice in commercial blocks.

3. Practical details that save headaches Choose UV-stabilised, light-coloured fabric for visibility and longevity. Keep netting taut so animals can bounce off rather than tangle. Inspect after wind events, repair snags promptly, and store nets dry and out of the sun when not in use. In frost-prone areas, allow enough height so frozen net doesn’t press fruit. On young trees, train to an open shape that’s easy to cover, then measure nets to avoid excessive excess that can catch. Safety and compliance In Victoria, it’s illegal to use or sell backyard netting with an aperture larger than 5 mm by 5 mm, and penalties apply. The same small-mesh standard is widely promoted across eastern states to reduce injuries to birds and flying-foxes. Before buying, check the label for stated mesh size and test it in hand. If you’re unsure, ask for product specifications or choose a wildlife-safe option that clearly lists aperture and strand thickness.