Are you planning to net your fruit trees this spring?
We all want to ensure our native wildlife remains safe and also enjoy our harvest but did you know that some types of fruit netting are now illegal in Victorian households due to the dangers they pose to our local wildlife?
It’s illegal in Victoria to use or sell household fruit tree netting with a mesh size bigger than 5mm x 5mm. Larger mesh netting is more likely to entangle and seriously injure or kill animals. Check out the regulations here – Agriculture Victoria – Protecting Fruit Trees and Wildlife
As we approach Spring, now is the perfect time to think about what netting you might be planning to use on your fruit trees. Is it compliant and safe for our wildlife? To check, try poking a finger through the mesh, can your finger pass through? If yes, then it’s too big and shouldn’t be used. Please dispose of non-compliant netting responsibly.
In addition to using netting with a compliant mesh size, experts also suggest:
– using white-coloured netting with a cross-weave design to help nocturnal animals see and avoid it at night.
– tightly securing netting to a frame or tree trunk to prevent trapping any animals moving along the ground.
– protecting selected branches with fruit bags or sleeves, rather than netting the whole tree if you don’t want it all.
The Conservation Regulator, Zoos Victoria, RSPCA Victoria, Wildlife Victoria, and Animal Welfare Victoria are working together to address the dangers illegal household netting poses to wildlife. Wildlife at risk include birds, reptiles and mammals like the threatened Grey-headed Flying-fox.
The threatened Grey-headed Flying-fox plays an important part in the health of our ecosystem. Their diet consists of fruit and nectar from more than 100 species of native trees, they help to pollinate our forests and disperse seeds long distances. Many native and threatened plant species rely on flying-foxes for survival. These important animals can easily become entangled in illegal netting as they search for their food.
If community members find a flying-fox or other wildlife trapped in fruit tree netting, do not attempt to touch or handle it yourself. Call an experienced, vaccinated wildlife rescuer to assist. To find a rescuer to help with injured wildlife, call 136 186 or use the Help for Injured Wildlife Tool –Â Help for Injured Wildlife
In Victoria, all wildlife is protected by law, and it is illegal to use or sell household fruit netting with a mesh size bigger than 5mm x 5mm. The community is encouraged to share this information with your friends, family and neighbours, if you see illegal fruit tree netting being used you can drop off a letter (you can use this template from Wildlife Victoria) or report illegal netting sightings to Crime Stoppers Victoria on 1800 333 000.
Article supplied 08/09/2025 by Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA)