Bird Netting

Bird netting is an effective and humane solution for protecting crops, structures, and other valuable assets from bird-related damage. At Haverford, we offer a diverse range of bird netting products tailored to various applications. Below is an overview of the different types of bird netting available and their respective advantages. 

What is the best type of bird netting for my needs? 

The best type of Bird Netting (for you) will be based on the specific application and problem you are trying to solve. There will be a considerable difference between a bird net that may be used on a home vegetable garden as opposed to one installed in the roof of a large commercial warehouse. Some of the key identifiers of the most suitable bird netting would include: 

• What bird or pest are you trying to keep out? Once this is identified, it will narrow your decision making considerably. The “Mesh-Size” refers to the size of the holes in the netting, and you will need to look for a mesh-size that is small enough to deter the target species. Stopping a Pigeon and a Fruit Fly are not one and the same. Keep in mind the target species as well as consideration for the passage of bees. 
• Are the Aesthetics important? Some bird nets are available in either Black or White colour.
• Are there any laws that affect my bird netting? Only in Victoria, where there and some strict regulations regarding the use of Bird Netting (if you are using it for residential fruiting plants and the like). We stock a range of netting products that have a LEGAL mesh size that is <5mm including our Wildlife Safe and Fruit Fly options. Commercial growers in Vic are excluded from the regulations.  
• How long do I want the net to last? There is such a wide scope of applications when it comes to Bird Netting, but one thing they all have in common is that most users want the netting to last a reasonable time period. From commercial projects, to home vege-gardens to seasonal Vineyards… it is important to consider the specifications (and supplier reputation) for information and reviews on the performance of a certain brand of netting. 

Is bird netting safe for wildlife? 

Most netting is indeed safe for Birds and other Wildlife, however the guidelines state that using a mesh size (hole size) of less than 5mm is recommended. Infact, new Regulations now apply to the purchase and use of bird netting in the state of Victoria. In Victoria, it is prohibited to purchase and use bird netting with an aperture size greater than 5mm x 5mm at full stretch to protect household fruiting plants. The regulations do not apply to commercial operations. As mentioned earlier, white netting is the preferred mesh colour for Wildlife Safety where possible. 

Are all Bird Nets the same? 

Not all bird nets are made equal. There is considerable variation when it comes to the key aspects of: 

• Effective Protection 
• Durability 
• Ease of Installation 

Effective Protection: When the appropriate netting is used and installed correctly, it will help prevents birds from accessing and damaging crops, structures, and other assets. By initially identifying the type (importantly size and behaviour) of bird or pest, you can carefully determine which bird netting is going to be the most suitable. This is why it is important to consult with local, trained and experienced support staff who can help you identify the best match to solve your problem. 

Durability: Within Australia and New Zealand, you should be looking for products that are constructed from high-quality, UV-treated materials to withstand our harsh environmental conditions. The key here, is looking deeper than what is simply written in a product description. Many online retailers simply list their items with plagiarised text from established brands. The reality here is that they often use inferior quality materials, from non-specialised manufacturers that produce a product that is not what it says it is and won’t last nearly as long. We recommend purchasing from local businesses who have the long-term reviews to back their lifespan and durability claims. 

What is the difference between a Diamond Mesh and Square Mesh Bird Netting? 

The majority of “bird netting” will be manufactured initially in a Diamond Mesh pattern, and then some are adjusted and heat-set to maintain a square pattern. Both types have their advantages and disadvantages depending on the application they are being used for. 

Diamond mesh Bird Netting: These nets are generally of a lighter gauge and are draped directly over trees, vege gardens and other objects with varying odd shapes. Being a Diamond shape allows for the net to be stretched slightly in either a lengthwise or widthwise direction. This allows you the flexibility to cover (or throw the netting over) odd-shapes with ease, making them perfect for vineyards, trees and small gardens. Due to the majority of these types of nets being light weight, they are fins to drape directly over trees and the like. 

Square mesh Bird Netting: These nets are commonly used in more permanent facilities or structures that feature straighter lines and are more orderly by nature. Square Mesh nets will often be used for Commercial Warehouses, Carparks, Awnings or Garden Sheds and Greenhouses. When installing onto these more orderly structures, having a square mesh bird netting improves the installation efficiency significantly (by not having to carefully manage the overall dimensions that can vary with a diamond mesh net). Important to note is that many suppliers will quote a net as being “Square Mesh”, when in effect it is still in the diamond pattern but “can” be pulled to square by the installer (actually multiple installers are needed). This makes installation significantly more time consuming and results in a long term “pull” by the net back into its original diamond pattern. All our Quatra Square Mesh Bird Nets have been manufactured and heat set to sit Square immediately once pulled out of the repackaging, ensuring an easy install and no long-term pull.  

What determines a quality Bird Net? 

Like anything, you will ultimately get what you pay for in most cases (and Bird Netting is no different). When looking for quality Bird netting, these are some of the key things to look for: 

• GSM (Grams per Square metre) : This is a technical specification used in netting that identifies how much the net weighs per square metre. The GSM weight is a key indicator of how much raw material is used in the construction of the netting. In theory, the higher the GSM indicates more material which would have been used, leading to a stronger net. There are however many other factors in play for determining the strength, but this is a good place to start. What you need to be careful of though is online listings that quote a GSM which is largely overstated. It is not uncommon to order a high GSM bird net online, which ultimately gets delivered in an unexpectedly tiny satchel or envelope. Often you can rip these nets with your hands and they would have an expected lifespan of only a few weeks at best. 
   
• Reviews  / Country of Manufacture / History : A history of providing quality netting is crucial when selecting a supplier to purchase your netting from. Many Bird Netting installations are quite involved and time consuming, so the last thing you want to have to do is replace it every year or so. It is very easy for a new online business (perhaps with no physical presence in Australia) to offer a product at an attractive price and quote high specifications and lifespans… with the reality that they will likely no longer be in business within any quoted lifespan period anyway. The reality is that established businesses have identified the best manufacturers from around the world, and have been in business for long enough to actually know how long these nets last for in reality. Check the online reviews for authenticity and validation. 
   
• UV Protection : It is critical that netting being used in Australia contains UV additive to help extend the expected lifespan when being used outdoors and indoors. The % of UV added is another key specification that can’t be seen to the naked eye. Experienced manufacturers have perfected (over many years of testing in the Australian climate), the exact % and proportion of UV that should be added to the HDPE material during construction. Several of the key Quatra bird netting product lines have been independently tested in an Accelerated UV testing facility to analyse the performance over a 2, 5 and 10 year period of time.
   

Specifications : Some other technical identifiers of a high quality net include: 

• The quality and tightness of the knots (in a knotted net) 
• Rope Corner markers used to easily identify start points 
• Twine and Knot breaking Strengths 
• Water Absorption 
• Denier & Twine Thickness 

Bird netting is a simple yet highly effective solution for protecting crops, buildings, and outdoor spaces from bird-related damage. With various types available—ranging from lightweight mesh to heavy-duty, reinforced options—you can find the perfect netting to suit your needs. By investing in the right bird netting, you can ensure long-term protection, minimise damage, and maintain a safe and sustainable environment. Explore our full range of bird netting solutions to find the best fit for your application. 

Fruit on household trees and plants is a tempting snack for hungry wildlife. While netting is a common method for protecting fruit, using the wrong type can harm or even kill animals like birds, possums, and flying foxes.
 

Laws related to the use of Bird Netting have recently been introduced in Victoria, with the associated coverage heightening awareness (across broader Australia) of this ongoing issue. In Victoria, netting used to protect household fruit-trees, vegetable gardens, or other fruiting plants must have a mesh size of 5mm x 5mm or less at full stretch. Despite the law not being enforced in other states, it is now best practice and more socially expected that a Wildlife Safe Netting is the most appropriate way to protect your garden when necessary. 

Selecting the right netting 

Education and awareness of the issue is complimentary to any laws that are introduced. Using the correct type of netting is crucial for protecting both your fruit and the local wildlife, as it will support a productive harvest while also protecting our vulnerable wildlife from harm.  

When selecting the “right” netting, there can be some technical specifications that can be difficult to decipher (less than 5mm mesh size, strand diameter > 500 microns) or are not displayed on the product packaging. To simplify your decision, two simple ways to help identify a Wildlife Safe Netting: 

• If you can’t fit your finger through the holes (<5mm openings), it is most likely to be safe unless it is an extremely thin material that you can easily tear with your hands. 
• WHITE colour is recommended, making it easier for nocturnally active animals to see and avoid it at night. 

Wildlife Safe Netting can generally be grouped into 2 main categories: 

• Traditional Bird Netting: These Bird Nets will generally feature traditional materials and design, however the mesh size has been carefully manufactured to ensure the openings are <5mm at full stretch. These nets are common place in backyard Fruit trees and Vege Gardens across Australia to deter birds (primarily) and other wildlife. 
• https://haverford.com.au/collections/victoria-safe-bird-netting 
   
• Insect / Fruit Fly Netting: These nets feature much smaller holes to deter smaller pests and insects. They are safe for wildlife and can be used to cover everything from greenhouses and large trees through to backyard vege-gardens and individually bagged fruit. 
• https://haverford.com.au/collections/fruit-fly-insect-netting/products/fruit-fly-insect-netting-45gsm  

Protecting Wildlife 

Some tips to keep in mind when using netting products… 

• Remove old netting that is not protecting fruit and dispose of safely. If the chosen method is disposal to landfill it is recommended that you place it into a strong biodegradable bag first. 
• Check netting regularly.
• Use white netting with a mesh size of <5mm from a reputable and locally based supplier who can ensure compliance with the detailed specifications required for safe use.

You can find out more about the installation guide here:

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0591/8012/2320/files/Quatra-Square_Mesh_Instal_Guide.pdf?v=1632977019