What Is Insect Netting?
Insect netting is a net used in agriculture to protect vegetables, fruits, and flowers from insect damage. It helps reduce pesticide use, promoting healthy and safe crop growth. The effectiveness of insect netting depends on the mesh fineness, color, and reflectivity, tailored to target specific insect types.
Uses of Insect Netting
Primarily used in open-field cultivation and greenhouses, insect netting is vital for pesticide-free and reduced-pesticide cultivation. It’s especially beneficial for cruciferous vegetables like cabbage and broccoli, which are prone to damage from caterpillars, aphids, and stink bugs, by preventing adult insects from laying eggs.
Features of Insect Netting
Insect netting, while blocking certain insect sizes, allows sufficient light, air, and moisture to pass through, supporting healthy plant growth.
Pros
Once installed, insect netting provides long-term protection against insects, rain, and wind. It also allows for overhead watering. Additionally, it’s useful in both tunnel and greenhouse cultivation.
Cons
Correct timing is crucial for installing netting; if delayed, it can trap pests inside. Ensuring no gaps and proper setup is necessary to prevent pest entry. Regional variations in pest outbreaks require accurate information for timely application. The netting may also accumulate dirt and mold, requiring regular monitoring.
Types of Insect Netting
Typically made of white polyethylene, insect netting also comes in red (unfavorable to insects) and varieties with silver threads. It varies in mesh size, color, length, and specific designs for household or agricultural use.
1. Classification by Mesh Size
Mesh sizes range from 0.25 mm to 4 mm, with finer meshes blocking smaller insects. The table below shows different gap sizes and the pests they protect against:
| Gap Size | Pests |
| 0.4 mm | Thrips, whiteflies, ladybugs, tobacco moths, spider mites, and stink bugs |
| 0.6 mm | Leafhoppers and leafhoppers |
| 0.8 mm | Aphids |
| 1.0 mm | Weevils, caterpillars, and leafhoppers |
| 2 to 4 mm | Whiteflies and green lacewing moths |
Note that very small pests like rust mites (about 0.1 mm) cannot be blocked by these nets.
2. Classification by Chemical Treatment
Some newer greenhouse insect nettings contain non-insecticidal chemicals that deter pests without trapping dead insects in the mesh, maintaining ventilation. However, these are not suitable for direct crop contact or pesticide-free cultivation.
How to Select Insect Netting
Selection should be based on the specific pests likely to affect your crops, choosing a mesh size smaller than the pests. Proper application before pest outbreaks is crucial to prevent infestation.