How to choose the right insect net for your crop

Growers often ask, “Which insect net should I use for my crop?” It’s a fair question — but not the first one to ask.

The truth is, there isn’t one “right” net for every crop, region, or season. The right insect net is the one that fits your pest pressure, climate, and greenhouse design. Choosing it well starts not with a catalogue, but with an audit — of what’s happening inside and around your greenhouse.

In this article

Match the net to the pest and the crop

Taking stock and talking lead to better solutions

When crops and pests interact

Balance exclusion and climate

Choosing a net is a continual process

Start with observation, not equipment

Before thinking about mesh counts or product codes, take a walk and look around.
What pests are you actually seeing — and where do they come from?

In most cases, successful net selection begins with a conversation: between the grower, the technical advisor, and sometimes even the neighbors. Nearby open-field crops, ornamental nurseries, or abandoned plots can all host insects that later move into your greenhouse. In Mexico and southern Europe, whitefly and thrips populations often spill over from neighboring tomato or pepper fields; leafminers and aphids can drift in from ornamentals or weeds.

An audit should answer three questions:

1. Which pests are active? (Identify by species if possible.)
2. Where are they breeding or entering? (Vents, doors, unscreened openings?)
3. What environmental conditions favor them? (Temperature, humidity, surrounding crops?)

Armed with that knowledge, you can define the real purpose of the net. The right insect net for your crop is the right net for your pest.

Match the net to the pest and the crop

Each pest has a different size and behavior. Each crop has its own sensitivity to humidity, heat, and light. Selecting a net is always about balancing insect exclusion with ventilation.

Taking stock and talking lead to better solutions

Choosing the right insect net shouldn’t be an isolated decision.
A good audit involves:

• Checking trap counts and identifying pest species early
• Talking with nearby growers about what’s emerging that season
• Reviewing weather trends — long hot summers favor whiteflies; mild winters allow them to overwinter
• Considering existing screens — are they UV-stabilized, clean, and intact?
• Evaluating ventilation design — finer nets need greater vent area or fans to maintain airflow

This is where technical advisors add value: matching what you’re seeing with the physical characteristics of available nets. Sometimes the solution isn’t “finer” but “smarter” — for example, changing the vent configuration or adding a horizontal barrier net above doors.

When crops and pests interact

Understanding pest–crop relationships helps predict what you’ll face:

• Tomatoes attract both whitefly and thrips and are vulnerable to virus transmission, such as Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) and Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV). These viruses can spread from one greenhouse to another via infected adults.
• Peppers face the same insect pests, but are especially sensitive to thrips-transmitted Tomato spotted wilt virus.
• Cucumbers produce dense foliage that traps humidity, creating conditions where whitefly thrive but natural enemies struggle.
• Berries often act as a refuge for thrips during flowering, and their delicate tissues suffer even from light feeding.
• Ornamentals, particularly gerbera and chrysanthemum, can maintain thrips populations year-round — often serving as reservoirs for viruses that later affect nearby vegetable crops.

The lesson is that neighbors matter: what’s flowering or fruiting nearby can determine your pest pressure more than what’s happening inside your structure.

Balance exclusion and climate

The finer the net, the better the exclusion — but also the greater the airflow resistance.

A 60-mesh net can reduce ventilation by up to 40 %. In cool climates that’s manageable; in hot, humid regions like western Mexico or southern Spain, it can quickly push humidity above 85 %, increasing disease risk.

The solution isn’t always coarser mesh. Instead, growers can:

• Increase vent area, especially in the roof volume
• Use forced ventilation, vertical air tubes or doubled-up pad and fan systems with netting as filters
• Combine shade and insect nets to lower heat load
• Pressure clean nets regularly to restore porosity — dust alone can reduce airflow by 10–15 %

Selecting a net is therefore part of a climate management strategy, not a separate decision.

Consider material and durability

Beyond mesh count, consider:

• Yarn thickness and UV stability: thicker filaments resist tearing but reduce airflow
• Color and light diffusion: some nets scatter sunlight, reducing insect orientation and plant stress
• Warranty and lifespan: quality HDPE nets typically last 3–5 years under greenhouse cover, shorter in open exposure

Longer-lasting nets reduce waste and labor costs, but the key is matching durability to your installation and environment.

Keep climate front of mind

When strengthening insect protection, it’s important to think about the whole climate, not just the mesh. Adding extra exclusion can also change temperature and humidity inside the greenhouse. In many cases, the solution isn’t only a finer net but a better overall climate balance.

Shade or light-diffusion screens can help moderate temperature, reduce radiation peaks, and create a more homogeneous climate that prevents humid microclimates where pests and diseases thrive. It’s often worth consulting someone who understands both insect behaviour and greenhouse climate control — so your protection strategy works with, not against, the environment your crops need.

And remember, choosing a net is a continuous process

Choosing an insect net isn’t a one-time decision — it’s part of an ongoing cycle of observation, prevention, and adjustment.

Conditions shift: pests migrate, weather patterns change, and new insect biotypes evolve. Regular audits and shared information between growers, advisors, and suppliers keep your protection strategy effective.

The most resilient growers treat pest exclusion as a way of working, rather than a one-off process.

In summary

The right insect net for your crop is the one that:

1. Targets the pests you actually face
2. Fits your crop’s climate sensitivity
3. Works with — not against — your greenhouse design

A good net doesn’t just keep insects out, it keeps the growing system in balance.