Question From: MICHIGAN
Q: Hi, my dad has been growing blueberry shrubs and harvesting the berries for years. He has around 28 well maintained shrubs, however, every summer he is fighting the birds and Japanese beetles from eating all the berries. Plus when he is out picking he must contend with the flies and mosquitos buzzing around. For many years he has used large hole garden netting over the shrubs to keep the birds out but I want to build him two giant walk in enclosures using metal pipe as the frame and securing netting over it. My question is can I use small hole mosquito netting (to keep the beetles out too) or do I have to use the larger hole garden netting to repel birds only? I realize the bees must get in to pollinate but if they stop pollinating after a certain amount of time then I could put the mosquito net over the enclosure when they are done for the season. Then my dad can just go in and pick his berries in peace once they ripen. Please let me know if this is advisable or not. Thank you for your time, Moira
A: Sounds like it should work, but the timing is key as far as the bees are concerned. Best And Happy Yardening, Nancy
