Hi,

I bought fine mesh netting. How can I place the netting around our planter with strawberry plants without wildlife getting caught in it AND while allowing pollinators to access the flowers? A chipmunk got tangled last year and I felt awful about it.

I don't know who to ask about this. We love wildlife but they get our strawberries before we can harvest them. Placing the planter next to our house doesn't deter them. We don't have a balcony or deck, which would probably at least keep the squirrels and chipmunks from finding the berries.

1" bird netting works for me. It keeps the birds and squirrels out but the bees can fly right through. Added bonus: the 1" holes are too small for sphinx moths.

Keep the netting taught. To do this you will need to first have a rigid frame to "stretch" the netting around. You could build a frame with wood, but the easier way is with 1 inch (or your preferred size) PVC pipe and the appropriate elbows. No need for glue; it will stay together on its own. If you use wood, you can us nails or staples to hold the netting in place. If you use PVC, zip ties or twist ties.

And it is re usable, too.

Thank you Leftwood. The netting is on a PVC frame. If you just drape it, the critters will get stuck.

You might have more birds getting stuck then anything else.

Daughter had a pair of finch that were so tiny, they set up housekeeping INSIDE her net house. Luckily, they were only after a safe nesting spot and the aphids. Most birds bounce off when the netting is tight. If its draping, they will get tangled.

I had to give up on netting.



While the above-mentioned frame sounds reasonable, maybe an investment in poultry wire?

Oh I should have mentioned that as long as I am recommending rigidity, hardware cloth would be another good option. It is like giant screen, with square holes of 1/4 inch or 1/2 inch. It is easily bendable and holds its shape well. You wouldn't need a frame. (But you'll need gloves and small pair of tin snips.) Poultry wire holes are too big and certainly would allow chipmunks in, Although it would likely keep most birds out, they would still be able to put their heads through and peck.

N.B. If that''s a picture of a snake entangled in netting, it wouldn't happen if the netting was taught. A scary thought, though ....

I liberated my king snake...



But... It can't be good for the snakes to get tangled in the netting, even if I did I cut them out...

I agree with the above - chicken wire or hardware cloth is a better option; also because the critters can't chew through it.

yeah something with very small holes, like 1/2 inch would still allow insects to pollinate, but keep birds out. Or something larger like 2 inch would allow birds to come and go freely but keep out deer, armadillos or other larger critters. Sizes in between that may get birds stuck. Using a wood frame, and attaching rigid wire, like rabbit cage wire is probably the way to go. Supplying birds with a bird bath or other source of water for drinking may help to reduce damage as often times they eat fruits or veg to get the moisture from them, especially later in the summer when it's dry out.

Weedwhacker said: I agree with the above - chicken wire or hardware cloth is a better option; also because the critters can't chew through it.

Be sure to bury the bottom edge so the little darlings can't dig under it

Thank you, everyone! I think I will try a frame of PVC pipe with my 1/2" netting stretched tight.