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Insect-proof mesh

Insect-proof mesh is commercially available in varying mesh sizes.

Insect-proof mesh is commercially available in pre-cut formats, various widths and can be ordered in any length. It is usually made of UV-stabilized polyethylene, which makes it last for years. The mesh sizes are sometimes specially tailored for one type of insect: wasps, aphids, white flies, etc.
Insect netting or ‘veggiemesh’ is woven from synthetic fibers and has meshes of, for example, 1.35 x 1.35 mm. A common size is 0.28 x 0.79 mm; insect netting with this mesh size stops almost all insects. For aphids, however, the mesh must be smaller: 0.39 x 0.83 mm.
The smaller the mesh, the smaller the insect, however, the finer mesh also means possible temperature rises: finer meshes can lead to significant heating and humidity of the plants under the mesh.
Those who find insect-proof mesh too expensive can also buy polyester net curtains. Available in one mesh size (280 x 300 mm). That lasts two years and is not UV-stabilized.

Net curtain, photo: CC0 Public Domain
Insect-proof mesh +/-size For example, keep away
Standard mesh 1.3 – 1.4 mm cabbage root fly, onion fly, bean seed fly, carrot fly, moth, butterfly
Fine mesh 0,8 mm flea beetles, cabbage whitefly, moth, butterfly, leaf miners, greenfly, aphids, cabbage root fly, onion fly, bean seed fly, carrot fly
Ultrafine mesh 0.28 – 0.79 mm thrips, flea beetles and other very small insects
Butterfly netting 4 – 7 mm Large white, small white