Multiknit has the best for your crops: Leave the pests for the rest…

Ashleigh Schubert

Benine Ackermann

There is nothing as frustrating as knowing you have a lovely, girthy potato, or a succulent, juicy tomato growing in your garden, only to realise that pests have beaten you to the eating.

Multiknit offers the solution to this problem with their nets. Net is an effective solution for controlling pests without using traps or chemicals. These nets are made from durable materials with mesh sizes tailored to exclude specific types of pests, such as insects, birds, and larger animals. Through using nets and screens with small holes, the need for insecticides and traps are reduced, promoting healthy plant growth while safeguarding your crops.

One of the primary benefits of using nets for pest control is the reduction in the need for chemical pesticides. By physically blocking pests from accessing crops, nets minimise the reliance on harmful chemicals, which can have detrimental effects on the environment, non-target organisms, and human health. This method supports sustainable agriculture practices by promoting a healthier ecosystem and reducing chemical residues on food products.

A net for every need

The effectiveness of nets in pest control can be seen in various types of crops. Depending on the problem you have, there are different types of net that can be used as the solution.

Big bug netting keeps larger pests out of plants and trees, while bird netting prevents birds and squirrels from accessing your harvest. It allows sunlight, air, and rain in while keeping pests out.

You can also invest in insect netting, which physically blocks insects from entering greenhouses. There tiny holes prevent most pests from squeezing through.

They way in which you use your net also differs according to the crops you are using it for. For example, to protect your plants from animal damage, apply netting to mature plants and trees before it occurs. Use netting when fruit, berries, or vegetables are small and unripe. For fruit trees, wrap the netting around them or drape it over the canopy, securing it at the trunk. In garden rows or beds, drape netting over plants and secure it with stakes. Consider elevating your netting for tender upright plants in garden beds. And for berry plants and vines, wrap or drape the netting and secure it.

Additionally, nets can influence microclimates to indirectly discourage pests. By adjusting temperature and humidity around crops, nets create less favourable conditions for pest survival and reproduction. This strategy is especially effective in managing pests that thrive in specific environmental contexts.