Wildlife-Friendly Netting

Did you know native wildlife regularly get entangled in large netting used on fruit trees? When animals are caught, they may struggle to escape, which can result in injury from the mesh netting and even death.

Proper installation of netting over fruit trees could mean the difference between life and death for our native wildlife.

By using netting with a mesh size of 5mm x 5mm or smaller, you can prevent small wildlife getting entangled and trapped.

Help protect our wildlife by following these helpful tips below:

• Consider using individual ‘fruit protection bags’ to cover your fruit rather than the whole tree
• Use a supporting frame around the tree to protect the tree from the weight of the net, and prevent birds pecking fruit through the net
• Securing the base of the net to the trunk of the tree or to the ground to prevent wildlife getting inside the net
• Use white coloured netting which is easier to be seen by wildlife
• Purchasing nets that pass the ‘finger test’ (you cannot poke your finger through) or less than 50mm in size
• Checking your fruit trees daily for any trapped wildlife

In the event you come across injured wildlife, please call WIRES on 1300 094 737

Images courtesy of RSPCA Queensland (possum) and WIRES (netting)