Fruit Tree Nets
Fruit tree nets are commonly used to protect our produce from birds and other animals taking what we want to consume. Though fruit tree nets are allowed, there are specific restrictions now being enforced to ensure the safety of native wildlife while still protecting our beautiful fruit trees.
Keep reading to find out all the information you need to know to ensure you're adhering to fruit tree net legal requirements and guidelines.
Fruit netting regulations
It is illegal in Victoria to use or sell household fruit tree netting with a mesh size bigger than 5mm x 5mm. This is due to larger mesh netting causing a higher likelihood of animal entanglement, injury or death.
In addition to using compliant mesh sizes, some further suggestions from experts include:
- Using white or light-coloured netting with a cross-weave design to help nocturnal animals see and avoid it at night.
- Tightly secure netting to a frame or tree trunk to prevent trapping any animals moving along the ground.
- Protecting only selected branches with fruit bags or sleeves, rather than netting the whole tree if possible.
How to check if your netting is compliant
If you're unsure whether your fruit tree netting is compliant or not, follow these simple steps:
- Poke your finger through the mesh netting.
- If your finger can pass through, this means that your netting is too big, illegal and can’t be used.
- Ensure to dispose of non-compliant netting responsibly.
What you need to know
Below is a video from My Smart Garden explaining:
- How to correctly fit fruit tree netting
- Why we should and what can happen if we don't correctly fit fruit tree netting
- Current regulations regarding fruit netting