Insect nets/insect netting is a reliable, effective tool in your integrated pest management (IPM) arsenal to protect greenhouse crops from harmful pests that wander in from neighboring greenhouses or surrounding fields.

Netting creates a physical barrier that keeps harmful pests out while keeping released beneficials inside the greenhouse doing their jobs. When installed and used correctly, insect netting lowers the risk of pest and disease flare-ups and can reduce pesticide use.

Take Care to Choose the Right Netting

Insect netting usually costs more upfront to install, but it pays you back with a durable layer of protection that can last up to 10 to 15 years with proper installation and care. The payoff: fewer chemical inputs, lower pest management costs, and better crop quality.

What to Consider

• Target pests/mesh size: Match mesh to the smallest pests you need to block.
• Ventilation/airflow: Finer mesh sizes restrict airflow, plan accordingly.
• Light transmission: Know how much light reduction your crop can tolerate.
• Durability and lifespan: Material type, UV resistance, maintenance needs
• Specifications and fit: Size netting correctly for vent openings (sidewalls and roofs) and exhaust fans.

Start by defining what you need your netting to do. Ask yourself:

• Which pests do I need to exclude?
• How much airflow do I need?
• How much light reduction can I live with?

Then start to narrow down your selection based on what matters most to you.

One of the biggest trade-offs with insect netting is mesh size versus airflow. Your goal is to find the right balance between pest exclusion and airflow efficiency. Pay close attention to mesh sizes and airflow ratings to ensure you maintain the best greenhouse conditions for your crop.

Smaller mesh sizes may provide excellent pest exclusion, but they restrict airflow, which can lead to heat and humidity build-up. Large mesh sizes allow for airflow but may do a terrible job at barring smaller pests from entering the greenhouse.

It’s also important to install enough total screen surface area to maintain proper ventilation—especially when using finer mesh sizes. With the right combination of mesh size, airflow properties, and surface area, you’ll create a protective barrier that supports both plant health and climate control.

Design it in from the start. We can help identify high-risk entry points and recommend the right netting and sizing for your commercial greenhouse operation. Give us a call.