Dateline: 14 September 2016 AD
My recent article on insect netting provided a summary of the various types available to US consumers.
I ultimately preferred Agralan Enviromesh (manufactured in the UK) due to its claimed longevity of at least 7 years. However, I was disappointed that the “Ultra Fine” version, designed to block flea beetles, was not available from any US vendors.
At the suggestion of a reader, I decided to purchase “Ultra Fine” directly from the UK. I found the product on The Organic Gardening Catalog website and placed my order.
Payment through PayPal was seamless, and the total cost for a 2.1m x 4.7m piece was $36.29. My order arrived within two weeks.
Surprisingly, this price was lower than a similar-sized (2.6m x 5m) piece of standard Agralan Enviromesh I had bought stateside from Greenhouse Megastore, which cost $44.99.
Here’s a photo of one of the Enviromesh pieces laid out on my lawn:
I took measurements of both pieces. For those unfamiliar with metric, the 2.6m x 5m Enviromesh was approximately 8’ x 16’ 3", while the 2.1m x 4.7m “Ultra Fine” measured about 6’ 7" x 15’ 6". The following image shows the hemmed edges:
Here, you can see a comparison of the mesh sizes. The standard Enviromesh is on the left, and the “Ultra Fine” is on the right:
Enviromesh is crafted from woven polypropylene threads, similar to monofilament fishing line.
I cut the pieces in half for my gardening needs (which I will detail soon). The material is easy to cut with scissors:
As you can see above, the cut edges can unravel. I tried to melt and seal them using a propane torch:
While it worked, it was somewhat difficult. Using a hot knife or a woodburner pen would be more effective.
The woven Enviromesh is less flexible than the knitted ProtekNet 25gr, which is more readily available in the US. However, as mentioned in my previous review, ProtekNet 25gr only lasts for 1 to 3 years.
I intend to use these nettings on 30" x 30" hooped frames in my garden. The image below shows one of these frames covered with Enviromesh:
Enviromesh cover
The netting is draped over the hoops and tucked under the frame’s edges to hold it securely. The difference in stiffness between the Enviromesh and the ProtekNet becomes clearer when you compare it to the same frame covered with ProtekNet:
ProtekNet 25 cover
The nylon knitted ProtekNet is easier to handle but only has an expected lifespan of 1 to 3 seasons, which is not ideal.
For comparison, here is the frame with Agribon 15 Insect Barrier:
Agribon 15 cover
Agribon 15 is a lightweight fabric that blocks most insects. However, it retains more heat than netting, prevents rain from passing through, and hinders visibility. Moreover, its lifespan is likely only 1 to 2 years.
The Enviromesh products come with useful instructions. Below is the sheet included with the standard Enviromesh netting:
(click the picture to see a larger view)
And here is the one for the Enviromesh “Ultra Fine”:
(click on the picture to see a larger view)
Based on my initial impressions and the advertised longevity, I think the Enviromesh products represent excellent value - possibly the best on the market for garden netting.
Therefore, I believe there’s a genuine business opportunity for importing or manufacturing a comparable product to the Enviromesh “Ultra Fine” domestically. I considered it myself, but I have numerous ongoing projects and lack the necessary storage space.
Finally, on the topic of insect netting:
I highly recommend the following video, part of an excellent series, which discusses using netting for pest control. It convinced me that netting is a great solution for successfully cultivating certain crops without resorting to pesticides.