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Is a 7mm x 5mm net sufficient? Last year I used 7mm square net and they got through with a struggle. Even t,bough I diligently squashed the eggs etc. the crop was still damaged. Thanks.

In my experience, enviromesh or fleece is the only this that really keeps them out, they seem to be able to squeeze through most nets

THe problem with nets is that they're made of holes. Butterflies can easily lay their eggs wherever the net contacts the plant. Diggernotdreamer is right - the only way to make sure is fleece.

Mike

....or you could make a structure like a small fruit cage with butterfly netting.
Or go completely anal and do what I do, grow them in a polytunnel with mesh doors.

I had terrible problems with butterflies last year . I was going to purchase some of that finer netting that scaffolders use to prevent debris but alas that's another item on my 'to do' list that I never got round to doing in spring.

The green scaffold netting is what I call shading, it is ok but it will shade plants down by 30% which is great for lettuce and sometimes I use it to prevent my onions bolting in the heat, but it has huge holes down the seams so the butterflies can get in there, anal is the only way to go I'm afraid (shutup Doofa)

Make sure bees can get through, otherwise nothing will get pollinated (if it needs pollinators of course ) :D

Good point Bonnie girls

And anal is the only way to go

doofaloofa wrote: And anal is the only way to go

I knew you wouldn't let me down

doofaloofa wrote:Good point Bonnie girls

And anal is the only way to go

Anal!!!

I am fighting an internal battle not to sig that

PAUL1SH wrote:I had terrible problems with butterflies last year . I was going to purchase some of that finer netting that scaffolders use to prevent debris but alas that's another item on my 'to do' list that I never got round to doing in spring.

Scaffolding companies dispose of (pay for disposal of) debris netting after just a couple of uses and so most are quite happy to let it go to a gardener who asks politely. I got hold of absolutely loads, some holey and used but mostly 50m x 2m with hardly a mark on it. The tie-down eyelets can be a problem but as a freebie it was certainly worth the time and effort to sew them up prior to use. With any luck it should last years. I've also made a smart-looking fence the length of the lotty that serves as a wind break and catches loads of air-borne fluffy seeds from my neighbours weed infested plot