Hume and Whittlesea gardeners are being urged to ensure they’re using wildlife-friendly fruit netting when trying to protect their backyard crops, as wildlife carers and authorities report a spike in animal injuries and deaths from entanglements this summer.
The Conservation Regulator is warning the community about the dangers illegal netting poses to native wildlife, such as birds, bats, and possums, and are reminding household growers that they must use safe, compliant fruit netting with mesh no bigger than 5mm x 5mm.
In Victoria, it has been illegal to use or sell netting with a mesh size bigger than this since 1 September 2021, as larger mesh netting on fruiting trees or plants is more likely to entangle, distress, and fatally injure animals.
Other tips for safer netting:
*Try protecting selected branches with bags or sleeves, rather than netting the whole tree.
* Never throw netting loosely over trees or let it lay on the ground. This can trap reptiles and other animals.
* Fix netting tightly to the tree trunk to help stop rats and birds from reaching fruit.
If you find entangled, injured, or distressed wildlife, you can find temporary care information and contact details for the closest wildlife services by calling DEECA on 136 186 or using the Help for Injured Wildlife tool: www.wildlife.vic.gov.au/injured-native-wildlife/help-for-injured-wildlife
