Search
Latest topics
» Ads are backby lovey Today at 12:02 am
» Garden Tools
by Soose Yesterday at 6:07 pm
» Soaking Seeds for Better Germination
by Soose Yesterday at 5:56 pm
» Should I buy this compost tumbler??
by Soose Yesterday at 5:55 pm
» Kiwi's SFG Adventure
by KiwiSFGnewbie Yesterday at 4:10 pm
» How do I source Mels Mix for 190 cu ft????
by Merrymouse Yesterday at 10:35 am
» Back In The Saddle I Suppose
by AtlantaMarie Yesterday at 5:15 am
» Happy Birthday!!
by AtlantaMarie Yesterday at 5:12 am
» Seed Exchange - January 2023
by sanderson Yesterday at 3:08 am
» Phosphate
by bigtoad 2/2/2023, 5:41 pm
» Organic compost without peat in Alberta
by OhioGardener 2/2/2023, 8:05 am
» worms and compost tumbler
by Soose 2/1/2023, 11:46 pm
» trying to Think Spring in cold Chicago
by sanderson 2/1/2023, 4:43 pm
» New Lifetime Compost Tumbler..
by sanderson 2/1/2023, 4:41 pm
» What are you eating from your garden today?
by OhioGardener 2/1/2023, 10:44 am
» Aero Garden for starting seeds?
by OhioGardener 2/1/2023, 8:23 am
» Starbucks for coffee grounds!
by sanderson 1/30/2023, 1:37 am
» N&C Midwest: January & February 2023
by OhioGardener 1/29/2023, 7:33 pm
» Placing Box on Cement
by OhioGardener 1/29/2023, 2:57 pm
» How I compost using a Tumbler
by Soose 1/29/2023, 2:45 pm
» Garlic Chives in SFG?
by OhioGardener 1/29/2023, 8:56 am
» Microgreens Gardening
by sanderson 1/28/2023, 11:42 pm
» Johnson Su composting Bioreactor instructions for home, not the farm.
by has55 1/28/2023, 10:57 am
» homemade vermicomposting/Worm Casting Compost Sifters
by has55 1/28/2023, 10:45 am
» Famous Gardening Quotes
by OhioGardener 1/28/2023, 8:29 am
» The SFG Journey-Johnson Su Bioreactor for composting, No turning
by has55 1/28/2023, 12:09 am
» seed starting Mel's way
by plantoid 1/27/2023, 7:09 am
» Home Made Compost
by plantoid 1/27/2023, 6:18 am
» New but Old
by lovey 1/25/2023, 1:49 am
» Dani's Brand New SFG For 2023
by danieggert 1/24/2023, 6:24 pm
Google
Will bees really go under the bird netting to get to the flowers?
5 posters
Page 1 of 1
Will bees really go under the bird netting to get to the flowers?
I read a post where someone had netting over their strawberries so the birds couldn't get to them. They also left the corners open so that the bees could get in to pollinate them. Does this really work? I have several strawberry blooms and some berries ripening and don't want to lose them to the birds again. Any advice appreciated!
jymarino- Posts : 232
Join date : 2011-03-25
Location : St Louis MO Zone 6a
Re: Will bees really go under the bird netting to get to the flowers?
I have bird netting that has openings large enough for bees to get through but not birds. I've seen bumble bees navigate it pretty well. My stawberries are fruiting like crazy, so some bees or other insects must have gotten through. 

laurainwinona-
Posts : 86
Join date : 2010-04-26
Age : 54
Location : Southeast MN, USA, zone 4
Re: Will bees really go under the bird netting to get to the flowers?
The netting I have is a very fine tulle to keep out undesirable bugs and birds. The holes are not large enough for bees to go through so I am wondering if leaving the corners open will be enough to let pollinators in.
jymarino- Posts : 232
Join date : 2011-03-25
Location : St Louis MO Zone 6a
Re: Will bees really go under the bird netting to get to the flowers?
jymarino wrote:The netting I have is a very fine tulle to keep out undesirable bugs and birds. The holes are not large enough for bees to go through so I am wondering if leaving the corners open will be enough to let pollinators in.
The very fine tulle is great for keeping insects out, I use it myself and have been very happy with the results, but,
I only use tulle on plants that do not need to be pollinated.
If you can pick up some bird netting, that would better protect your strawberries from birds (not insects) while still allowing insect pollination. I am not sure just leaving the corners of tulle open will encourage the bees to go in and pollinate. I thank you are taking a big chance there.
Strawberries really need insect pollination in order to bear big well shaped fruit. If you only have wind pollination, you may get some strawberries, but they tend to be misshapen "nubbins" rather than full sized strawberries because only part of the flower gets pollianted.
Of course, if you want to you could go in every day and hand pollinate every flower

Furbalsmom-
Posts : 3141
Join date : 2010-06-10
Age : 76
Location : Coastal Oregon, Zone 9a, Heat Zone 2 :(
Re: Will bees really go under the bird netting to get to the flowers?
Ummm, no I think I'd rather not do that. Actually I just remembered that I do have a roll of bird netting in the garage that I've never opened yet. Maybe I'll pull that out tomorrow and see how big the holes are and if they will allow pollinators in.
jymarino- Posts : 232
Join date : 2011-03-25
Location : St Louis MO Zone 6a
Re: Will bees really go under the bird netting to get to the flowers?
I have regular bird netting over my plants to keep out birds and other animals and I see bees flying in and out all the time.
WendySue67- Posts : 37
Join date : 2011-04-11
Location : Riverton, Utah
Re: Will bees really go under the bird netting to get to the flowers?
I have tulle over my strawberry bed. This is the way I always do it. The birds stay out but the ends are open for the pollinators. I always have bees going in and out.


CindiLou- Posts : 999
Join date : 2010-08-30
Age : 63
Location : South Central Iowa, Zone 5a (20mi dia area in 5b zone)rofl...

» Bird Netting is nasty stuff!
» Help! are my Sugar Babies done for yet??
» reposting question about bird netting
» Pros/cons of bird netting!
» Bird Netting on Top of Enclosed Garden
» Help! are my Sugar Babies done for yet??
» reposting question about bird netting
» Pros/cons of bird netting!
» Bird Netting on Top of Enclosed Garden
Page 1 of 1
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
|
|