6 Best Squirrel Deterrent Netting For Berry Bushes That Actually Work
Protect your berry harvest from squirrels. This guide reviews the 6 best deterrent nettings, focusing on durable, chew-resistant options that work.
There’s nothing more soul-crushing than watching a perfect crop of blueberries ripen, only to find them stripped bare overnight by a team of brazen squirrels. Repellents, scare tape, and fake owls rarely work for long against these clever, persistent thieves. The only truly reliable defense is a physical barrier, and that’s where high-quality netting comes in.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!
Why Squirrels Target Berries & How Netting Works
Squirrels are opportunistic omnivores, and your berry bushes are a five-star, all-you-can-eat buffet. Berries are packed with sugar and water, providing a quick energy source that’s easy to harvest and cache for later. They aren’t just eating for today; they’re planning for the winter, and your hard work fits perfectly into their plan.
Netting works on a simple principle: denial of access. Unlike scare tactics that squirrels quickly learn to ignore, a physical barrier is a constant and absolute "no." A properly installed net creates an enclosure the squirrel cannot breach, forcing it to move on to easier targets. The effectiveness isn’t in the type of net as much as its ability to form an impenetrable shield around your precious fruit.
De-Bird Heavy-Duty Netting for Determined Pests
When you’re dealing with squirrels that treat flimsy bird nets like a minor inconvenience, it’s time to upgrade. De-Bird’s heavy-duty netting is made from a thicker, more robust polypropylene that resists the chewing and tearing that plagues standard nets. This isn’t just a visual deterrent; it’s a legitimate physical obstacle.
The tradeoff is weight and cost. This netting is heavier and can be more cumbersome to drape over frames, and it costs more per square foot. However, if you’ve already lost a crop to squirrels that chewed straight through a lighter net, the extra investment is easily justified. This is the solution for high-pressure situations where failure isn’t an option.
Agfabric Fine Mesh: Defeating Small Intruders
Sometimes squirrels are just one part of a larger problem. Agfabric’s fine mesh netting, often sold as insect barrier, offers a comprehensive defense. The tight weave not only stops squirrels and birds but also prevents smaller pests like chipmunks and destructive insects like Japanese beetles or spotted wing drosophila from reaching your fruit.
The primary consideration here is airflow and light penetration. While still highly permeable, the fine mesh can slightly increase temperatures and humidity underneath, which can be a concern in regions prone to fungal diseases. It’s a fantastic multi-purpose tool, but you must weigh the benefit of total exclusion against the potential for creating a more humid microclimate around your plants.
VIVOSUN Large Netting for Covering Multiple Bushes
If you have a row of blueberry bushes or a patch of raspberries, netting each plant individually is a tedious, inefficient chore. VIVOSUN and similar brands offer large, economical rolls of netting designed to cover entire sections of your garden at once. You can construct a simple frame and create a "net house" over your whole berry patch.
This approach is about scale and efficiency. The netting itself is typically a standard-duty polypropylene, effective against most casual browsing. Its real strength lies in its application over a large, framed area. By keeping the net several inches away from the plants on all sides, you prevent squirrels from simply pressing the material against the bush to grab a berry through the holes.
Garden Armor Netting Kit with Support Hoops
The biggest mistake people make with netting is simply draping it over the plant. A determined squirrel will just climb on top, push the net down, and eat right through it. Garden Armor and other kits solve this problem by providing a complete system: netting, support hoops, and fasteners.
This is the best option for beginners or anyone who values convenience. The hoops create a rigid structure that keeps the netting taut and away from the foliage and fruit, forming a proper protective dome. The structure is the key to success. While you can build your own frame from PVC or bamboo, a kit provides everything you need in one box, ensuring you get the installation right from the start.
Feitore Polypropylene Net: A Lighter Alternative
Not every situation calls for a fortress. For gardens with moderate squirrel pressure, a standard, lightweight polypropylene net like those from Feitore is often sufficient. It’s affordable, easy to handle, and simple to cut and shape around your bushes. It serves as a strong visual deterrent and a frustrating barrier for the less-motivated pest.
You have to accept its limitations. A truly desperate and determined squirrel can and will chew through this lighter material if given enough time and incentive. This type of netting works best when you can check on it regularly to patch any small holes that appear. Think of it as a solid, cost-effective first line of defense, not an impenetrable wall.
Tenax C-Flex: A Rigid Plastic Mesh Choice
When you are absolutely done playing games, it’s time for rigid plastic mesh. Products like Tenax C-Flex aren’t soft nets; they are semi-rigid plastic fencing that squirrels cannot chew through. You don’t drape this material; you build sturdy, permanent, or semi-permanent cages around your berry bushes with it.
This is a high-investment, high-reward solution. It’s more expensive and requires more effort to install, typically involving posts and zip ties or wire. However, once a cage is built from this material, your squirrel problems for those specific bushes are over. This is the choice for protecting highly valued plants where you need a 100% guaranteed, long-term solution.
Proper Net Installation to Outsmart Squirrels
The best netting in the world is useless if installed poorly. Squirrels are expert problem-solvers and will exploit any weakness they can find. Your goal is to create a completely sealed enclosure with zero points of entry.
Follow these rules without compromise:
- Keep it off the plant. Always use a frame—PVC hoops, bamboo poles, or a wooden structure—to hold the netting away from the foliage. If the net touches the fruit, animals can eat right through it.
- Secure the perimeter. The netting must extend all the way to the ground. Use landscape staples, rocks, or soil to anchor the bottom edge firmly. A squirrel’s first instinct is often to try and get under the barrier.
- Eliminate all gaps. Overlap any seams by at least six inches and secure them with zip ties or clips. Pay special attention to corners or any access points you create for yourself to harvest. A squirrel can flatten itself and squeeze through an impossibly small hole.
Ultimately, choosing the right netting comes down to understanding your specific pest pressure and how much effort you’re willing to invest. Whether you opt for a heavy-duty material for relentless pests or a simple kit for convenience, the principle remains the same. Success isn’t just in the net you buy; it’s in the meticulous, gap-free installation that finally tells the squirrels the buffet is closed for good.
