Two numbers define a bird net: the mesh size (the hole spacing in millimetres) and the GSM (grams per square metre, a measure of weight and strength). Choosing them by guesswork means either a net birds can get through, or one so heavy it costs more than it should. Here is how to pick the right spec in five minutes.
GSM is shorthand for how much yarn is packed into each square metre. A higher GSM net is denser, heavier and more tear-resistant — but also more expensive and slightly heavier to handle. For bird exclusion, weight is not the goal in itself; the net only needs to be strong enough to hold the chosen mesh size and survive handling, wind and UV exposure.
Mesh size is the deciding factor. The opening must be smaller than the smallest bird you want to keep out, yet large enough to let light, air and pollinators through.
| Bird to Exclude | Recommended Mesh | Typical GSM |
|---|---|---|
| Pigeons, starlings, blackbirds | 15–25 mm | 30–45 |
| Small fruit birds (sparrows, finches) | 10–15 mm | 40–60 |
| Very small birds and bats | 5–10 mm | 60+ |
Once the mesh size is fixed, GSM follows the duty. A net thrown directly over trees and removed each season can be lighter (15–30 gsm). A net stretched permanently over a cable system should be heavier (40–60 gsm) because it is under constant tension and exposed year-round.
Black bird net is the most popular because it is nearly invisible against foliage and does not glare in sunlight. White and transparent nets are more visible to birds — which can deter them before they even land — but they also stand out more in the landscape. Choose the color based on whether you want the net to be seen or to disappear into the crop.
Related: read our bird netting mesh size guide and bird netting rip problems.
| GSM | Durability | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 15–30 gsm | Light, 3–5 years | Light-duty, small birds |
| 40–50 gsm | Medium | General fruit protection |
| 60 gsm | Heavy | Large birds, permanent structures |
No. A heavier net costs more and is harder to handle on a ladder. The mesh size does the actual work of exclusion; GSM only needs to be high enough to hold that mesh shape and survive handling, tension and weather.
Ask whether the UV protection is compounded into the HDPE yarn during extrusion. Surface-coated nets lose their protection within months, while stabilized yarn keeps working for 3–5 years in full sun.
A correctly sized bird net excludes birds without trapping them — it is a physical barrier, not a snare. That is exactly why bird netting is the preferred non-lethal method for protecting orchards and vineyards.
No. Most suppliers publish a mesh-size-to-bird table like the one above. Tell them which species you are seeing and they will confirm the right mesh for you.
For most orchards and vineyards, a 15–20 mm mesh at 40–50 gsm stops pigeons, starlings and blackbirds while letting pollinators through. Tell us your bird and crop and we will confirm the spec. Request a bird net quotation.
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