5 Best Fruit Netting Products for Protecting Crops That Old Farmers Swear By

Tired of watching birds and pests feast on your fruit before you can harvest it? Protecting your valuable crops from hungry wildlife is essential for any gardener or farmer looking to maximize yield. The right fruit netting can make all the difference between a bountiful harvest and disappointment.

Whether you’re growing berries, fruit trees, or vegetables, investing in quality netting provides a physical barrier that keeps wildlife out while allowing sunlight, rain, and pollinators to reach your plants. We’ve researched and tested dozens of options to bring you the five best fruit netting products that offer superior protection, durability, and ease of installation.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!

The Critical Importance of Fruit Netting for Crop Protection

Fruit netting serves as the ultimate defense system for your valuable crops, creating a physical barrier that prevents birds, insects, and other wildlife from damaging your harvest. Without proper protection, you can lose up to 80% of your fruit crop to hungry birds and persistent pests in a single growing season. Even small breaches in your defensive strategy can lead to significant losses, making quality netting an essential investment rather than an optional accessory.

Birds represent one of the most persistent threats to fruit crops, with species like robins, starlings, and finches capable of decimating berry patches and fruit trees in days. They’re particularly attracted to ripening cherries, blueberries, strawberries, and other soft fruits at peak sweetness. Fruit netting provides immediate protection while being far more humane than noisemakers or decoys that wildlife quickly learn to ignore.

Climate protection is another crucial benefit that quality fruit netting delivers. Modern netting products offer protection against extreme weather events including hailstorms, heavy rain, and excessive sun exposure that can damage delicate fruits. Many premium netting solutions now incorporate UV-stabilization technology, ensuring your protective barrier remains effective for multiple growing seasons despite constant sun exposure.

The right fruit netting creates a perfect microclimate around your crops – offering protection without compromising essential growth requirements. It allows for adequate airflow to prevent fungal diseases, permits sufficient water penetration for irrigation, and ensures pollinators can still access flowers when needed. This balanced approach maximizes both protection and productivity throughout the growing cycle.

5 Best Fruit Netting Products for Protecting Your Valuable Crops

Drape Net® by Drape Net North America

Drape Net offers exceptional protection against multiple threats including hail, wind, birds, insects, and sunburn. It’s particularly valuable for organic growers as it effectively excludes codling moths without chemicals. You’ll appreciate how easy it is to apply and remove using the Net Wizz Applicator, and during off-season, you can simply secure it on the center wire in your orchard to minimize labor. The product line includes Original Drape Net, 18″ Selvage Edge, Cherry Weave, Bird Netting, and Anti-Bee Netting to meet your specific crop protection needs.

Fruit Tree Netting by EyouAgro

EyouAgro’s fruit netting features an optimal mesh size that allows sufficient light and air to reach your fruits while creating an effective barrier against pests and birds. The UV-protected knitted mesh blocks up to 95% of harmful rays, protecting both the netting material and your valuable fruits. You’ll get exceptional durability with this high-density polypropylene monofilament netting that withstands temperatures from -30℃ to +70℃, with a UV guarantee of up to 8 years depending on the model you choose.

Knitted Bird Netting by American Nettings

American Nettings offers a soft, flexible 3/4″ knitted green mesh that’s ideal for protecting cherry trees, fruit cages, garden rows, and vineyards. You can easily install it by draping over plants and securing with fabric staples, pins, or by covering edges with soil. This versatile netting has a 5+ year life expectancy and can also be used for winter protection of shrubs and small trees, or even to protect fish and aquatic animals in ponds.

Crop Protection Netting by US Netting

US Netting provides crop protection made from high-quality, durable materials that resist rot, rust, chemicals, and UV damage. You can use it to shield blueberries, raspberries, and other valuable crops from birds and insects, with both light-duty and heavy-duty options available. This netting excels at covering large areas such as orchards and vineyards when used with frames, suspension cables, or greenhouse structures for maximum protection.

JEMYDA Garden Netting with Drawstring

JEMYDA Garden Netting features a convenient drawstring design that makes installation and removal quick and straightforward for busy growers. The netting creates an effective barrier against birds while allowing for adequate sunlight and airflow to reach your crops. You’ll find it particularly useful for smaller garden applications and fruit bushes where easy access and adjustability are important for maintenance and harvesting throughout the growing season.

Key Features to Look for When Choosing Fruit Netting

Mesh Size and Material Durability

The mesh size of your fruit netting determines what pests it keeps out. Choose 15-20mm mesh for birds, while 10mm or smaller protects against smaller insects like fruit flies and moths. High-density polypropylene monofilament materials offer the best durability, withstanding multiple seasons of use without degrading. Look for reinforced edges that prevent fraying and tearing when stretched over fruit-bearing plants or secured to support structures.

UV Resistance and Weather Protection

Quality fruit netting features UV stabilization technology that prevents breakdown from sun exposure. The best products block 90-95% of harmful UV rays while allowing optimal light transmission for healthy plant growth. Temperature resistance ranging from -30°C to +70°C ensures your netting remains functional through seasonal extremes. Weather-resistant properties also include protection against hail, high winds, and heavy rainfall, creating a microclimate that shields delicate fruits from damage.

Ease of Installation and Reusability

Lightweight netting that unfolds easily saves significant time during installation. Products like Drape Net with specialized applicators allow quick setup across large areas, while drawstring options work well for individual trees. Look for netting that can be secured using multiple methods including clips, ties, or ground pins for versatile placement. Storage capabilities matter too—nets that can remain partially installed (like those secured to center wires) minimize labor costs and extend the product’s usable lifespan.

Best Practices for Installing and Maintaining Fruit Netting

Installation

Installing fruit netting correctly is crucial for effective crop protection. Traditional over tree installation requires draping the netting directly over trees and securing it tightly to prevent gaps where birds or pests might enter. This method works exceptionally well for orchards and can be simplified by using bullhorns for easier installation and removal.

For vineyards and berry crops, vertical trellis and V trellis systems provide excellent support for your netting. Secure the netting on the center wire with bullhorns to maintain tension and coverage throughout the growing season. This approach creates a structured protective environment while still allowing for proper airflow and pollinator access.

When securing the edges of your netting, use fabric staples, pins, or weigh down the edges with soil. These methods prevent wind from lifting the netting and creating entry points for pests, ensuring your crops remain fully protected regardless of weather conditions.

Maintenance

Proper maintenance extends the life of your fruit netting investment. Seasonal removal and reinstallation can be streamlined with tools like the Net Wizz Applicator, which significantly reduces labor time and prevents damage during handling. For off-season storage, either wrap the net around the center wire or utilize netting with a heavy-duty selvage edge for added protection.

Regular inspection is essential for maintaining netting effectiveness. Check for tears, holes, or worn areas that might compromise protection, and repair or replace damaged sections promptly. Small repairs addressed early can prevent larger issues and extend the overall lifespan of your netting system.

Periodic cleaning keeps your netting functioning at optimal levels. Remove debris like leaves, twigs, and dust that can accumulate on the surface to maintain proper UV protection and breathability. Clean netting allows for maximum light transmission while still protecting your valuable crops from damage.

Additional Tips

Identifying the specific pests affecting your crops helps determine the most appropriate mesh size and netting type. Larger birds require different protection than smaller insects, so tailoring your solution to your particular pest challenges improves overall effectiveness.

Consider environmental factors when selecting and installing fruit netting. UV-stabilized, temperature-resistant materials withstand harsh weather conditions without degrading quickly. Many quality netting products offer a 5-year UV guarantee but can last significantly longer with proper care and maintenance.

For maximum protection and convenience, incorporate your netting installation into your seasonal planning cycle. Installing netting before fruits develop but after pollination ensures both crop protection and proper fruit set, striking the perfect balance between accessibility and security.

Cost Comparison: Investment vs. Crop Loss Prevention

Drape Net by Drape Net North America

Drape Net delivers exceptional return on investment despite its upfront cost. A compelling case study from Pine Tree Apple Orchard showed unnetted acres suffered over 80% damage during a hail storm, while netted acres experienced less than 1% damage. For commercial growers, this dramatic difference can mean the difference between a profitable season and devastating losses.

Fruit Tree Netting by EyouAgro

EyouAgro’s netting proves highly cost-effective with its 5-year UV warranty. Research indicates orchards using this netting reported a 60% reduction in fruit damage from birds and pests. The BNT-1535 model offers particularly good value while providing comprehensive protection, making it ideal for growers looking to balance budget constraints with effective crop protection.

Knitted Bird Netting by American Nettings

This 3/4″ knitted mesh netting represents an excellent long-term investment with its 5+ year lifespan. Your initial purchase cost is offset by years of reliable protection for cherry trees, fruit cages, and vineyards. The flexible installation options using fabric staples and pins further enhance its value proposition by reducing labor costs associated with seasonal setup.

Agricultural Netting by US Netting

US Netting offers both light-duty and heavy-duty options to suit different budgetary needs. While heavy-duty versions command higher prices, they provide superior protection for larger growing areas. Growers consistently report maximized yields that justify the investment, especially when protecting high-value crops like berries and tree fruits.

Cherry Weave Drape Net

The specialized Cherry Weave Drape Net, while part of the premium Drape Net line, delivers targeted protection for delicate fruits. Its unique design featuring tight weave across the top with open side panels ensures optimal airflow while preventing bird damage. For cherry growers, who face potentially catastrophic losses from birds, this specialized netting represents essential crop insurance rather than an optional expense.

Conclusion: Protecting Your Harvest with the Right Netting Solution

Choosing the right fruit netting is a crucial investment that can save your harvest from devastating losses. The five netting solutions highlighted offer varying benefits to match your specific needs – whether you’re protecting a small garden or a commercial orchard.

Remember that effective crop protection goes beyond just buying quality netting. Proper installation techniques and regular maintenance will maximize your investment’s effectiveness and longevity.

By weighing factors like mesh size UV resistance durability and ease of installation you’ll find the perfect balance between protection and accessibility. Your crops deserve this shield against birds pests and harsh weather conditions.

With the right netting solution in place you can look forward to healthier plants increased yields and the satisfaction of harvesting fruits that reach their full potential.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is fruit netting and why is it important?

Fruit netting is a protective barrier that shields crops from birds, insects, and other pests while allowing sunlight, rain, and pollinators to reach plants. It’s crucial because wildlife can cause up to 80% crop loss in a single season without proper protection. Quality netting provides immediate, humane protection against threats while creating a beneficial microclimate for plant growth.

What mesh size should I choose for fruit netting?

Choose 15-20mm mesh for bird protection and 10mm or smaller for insect protection. The ideal mesh size depends on your specific pest challenges. Smaller mesh provides more comprehensive protection but may reduce airflow slightly, while larger mesh maximizes ventilation but might allow smaller pests to enter.

How long does quality fruit netting last?

Quality fruit netting typically lasts 5-10 years with proper care. UV-stabilized options like Knitted Bird Netting by American Nettings have a life expectancy of over five years. Durability depends on material quality, weather exposure, and maintenance. High-density polypropylene materials offer the best longevity against environmental factors.

How do I install fruit netting properly?

Proper installation varies by crop type. For trees, drape netting completely over the canopy and secure at the base. For vineyards and berry crops, use trellis systems to support netting above plants. Ensure complete coverage without gaps and leave enough slack for plant growth. Consider using specialized securing methods like clips or drawstrings for easier maintenance access.

Is fruit netting cost-effective?

Yes, fruit netting provides excellent return on investment. Quality netting like Drape Net significantly reduces crop damage during adverse weather and pest invasions. While initial costs vary ($0.10-$0.30 per square foot), netting prevents potential losses worth thousands of dollars. Multi-season reusable options further enhance cost-effectiveness by spreading the investment across multiple harvests.

Can fruit netting protect against weather damage?

Yes, certain fruit netting products offer protection against weather extremes. Drape Net® specifically provides protection against hail, wind, and sunburn in addition to pest control. Modern netting is designed to withstand temperature fluctuations and create a protective microclimate that shields delicate fruits from environmental stressors while still allowing for adequate airflow and moisture penetration.

How do I maintain fruit netting for maximum lifespan?

Maintain fruit netting by removing it seasonally when not needed, inspecting regularly for damage, and repairing tears promptly. Clean netting periodically with mild soap and water to remove debris, sap, and contaminants. Store dry netting in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight when not in use to prevent UV degradation and extend its useful life.

Does fruit netting affect pollination?

Quality fruit netting is designed to allow pollinators access to flowering crops. Timing is important—install netting after the primary pollination period for fruit trees or choose netting with appropriate mesh size (15-20mm) that permits beneficial insects to pass through while blocking larger pests. Some growers temporarily remove netting during peak pollination times.