Insect-proof mesh is commercially available in varying mesh sizes.
Insect-proof mesh is commercially available in pre-cut formats, various widths and can be ordered in any length. It is usually made of UV-stabilized polyethylene, which makes it last for years. The mesh sizes are sometimes specially tailored for one type of insect: wasps, aphids, white flies, etc.
Insect netting or ‘veggiemesh’ is woven from synthetic fibers and has meshes of, for example, 1.35 x 1.35 mm. A common size is 0.28 x 0.79 mm; insect netting with this mesh size stops almost all insects. For aphids, however, the mesh must be smaller: 0.39 x 0.83 mm.
The smaller the mesh, the smaller the insect, however, the finer mesh also means possible temperature rises: finer meshes can lead to significant heating and humidity of the plants under the mesh.
Those who find insect-proof mesh too expensive can also buy polyester net curtains. Available in one mesh size (280 x 300 mm). That lasts two years and is not UV-stabilized.
| Insect-proof mesh | +/-size | For example, keep away |
|---|---|---|
| Standard mesh | 1.3 – 1.4 mm | cabbage root fly, onion fly, bean seed fly, carrot fly, moth, butterfly |
| Fine mesh | 0,8 mm | flea beetles, cabbage whitefly, moth, butterfly, leaf miners, greenfly, aphids, cabbage root fly, onion fly, bean seed fly, carrot fly |
| Ultrafine mesh | 0.28 – 0.79 mm | thrips, flea beetles and other very small insects |
| Butterfly netting | 4 – 7 mm | Large white, small white |
