A few biases against bird netting

Some gardeners view bird netting not only as a defense against birds, but as a cheap sort of deer fencing. The problem is that this material is completely ineffective against deer, and is a very efficient way of killing birds.

Birds cannot see the netting, fly into it, and get caught. The more the bird struggles to free itself, the more hopelessly ensnared it becomes. Death from exposure, stress, starvation, dehydration, or predator attack is likely.

Bird netting is made of plastic. The residence time for plastics is 650 years. This means that bird netting remanants will remain in the environment FOREVER.

Unless the netted plants are monitored closely, they will grow up through the netting so that animals can get to them after all. Removal of the netting will then require damage to both the netting and to the plant. As used in yards and home gardens, one most often sees netting being torn up over time, so that pieces are difficult to retrieve. Some remain in the soil or ensnared in vegetation, some will get caught up on the bodies of birds or other animals. Particularly in areas near any body of water including creeks, the probability is that netting remnants will eventually end up in the ocean, where they can inflict huge damage on marine life. Bird netting installed close to the ground can ensnare not only ground-feeding birds but small mammals.

To defend fruit against birds, try mylar streamers. These flutter and flash in the breeze, startling birds. Wind chimes hung near target plants may scare off birds. Animals may become acclimated to any startle defense used over a long period, so changes in mode of defense and location may be necessary. Smaller plants can be enclosed in cloches of poultry netting, which is flexible wire fencing material that is cheap, easy to use and effective in excluding animals.

The only good defense against deer is deer fencing- rigid wooden or metal fencing at least six feet high. Very active dogs may also help. Deterrents like blood meal and coyote, dog, or human urine may be effective but must be reapplied regularly.

If you do decide to use bird netting to protect fruit crops, most harm can be avoided by following these guidelines:

-look for white netting or netting with thicker strands, so that birds can see it. the material will be more expensive, but the thicker material will last longer.

-always hang netting several inches away from any plants, so that birds will not try to stand on the netting in order to forage, and plants will not become entangled in the netting.
-always hang netting so that the lowest edge is at least 18" off the ground
-always patrol your netting regularly, ideally more than once a day, to make sure that no problems have developed.
-remove all netting after fruit is harvested.
Should a small bird become ensnared in your netting, have scissors on hand. (If the bird is a larger raptor or owl, don't try this at home-- call wildlife rescue.)
Quickly exclude all dogs and cats from the area. Working quickly, calmly and quietly, grasp the whole bird gently but firmly in one hand, and use the other hand to snip away all netting. Be very careful not to release the bird until all netting is removed. If this task is daunting, place the bird in a cage, small pet carrier, or secure cardboard box with air hole, and enlist the help of a calm friend, vet, or wildlife rescue staff.