Does Envriomesh Keep Whitefly Out?

[vikkib]

I've had a real nightmare with whitefly this year... clouds of them seem to be everywhere and the debris netting I have over my brassicas is no defense against them.

I'm considering buying some Enviromesh (well actually a cheaper version either veggiemesh or wondermesh) but before I spend the money I thought I would check on here to see if it really does keep the whitefly out.

The cheaper version both claim to have the same (or slightly smaller) mesh size (1.35mm / 1.33mm) and I understand it has to be carefully weighted down all the way around the plants but assuming I can do that will my lovely curly kale be whitefly free?

[Mysterious Gardener]

A couple might get through, but generally speaking Enviromesh will keep them out.

For more info:
http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ize_73118.html

And if a couple do get through:
http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...fly_39309.html

[Alison]

I've had no problems with wondermesh but I didn't notice many white flies outside either

[mothhawk]

Covered all the brassicas with enviromesh this year and no whitefly on them at all, even though half a dozen or so caterpillars somehow got in - (I suspect the butterflies of laying eggs on the parsnips right next to the brassica cage, and the caterpillars then wiggling in while tiny between the staples that hold the mesh to the frame)

Haven't had whitefly anywhere else in the garden either, so don't know if it's been a bad breeding year for them or whether not being able to get a t the brassicas stopped the adult egg layers from hanging around.

[Four Seasons]

I have found that it depends on how much room you leave above the plants. If you build an enviromesh cage they seem to be able to get through it but if you just drape the material over the plants it tends to deter them. The plants push the enviromesh upwards as they grow and the fact that the mesh is in contact with the leaves doesn't appear to encourage anything to get through it. The worst plague I had for whitefly was when I built a walk-in cage. Never again.

[vikkib]

Thanks everyone - that's really helpful.

I will have a measure up and see what width I need! : )

[Alison]

Draping enviromesh may help with whitefly (I've no idea ) but it does have the big negative of letting cabbage whites lay their eggs into the leaves below.

[sally fran]

Last year I had loads of whitefly and I had used veggiemesh - it didn't work for me. I also had very bad cabbage aphid so decided this year to use soft butterfly mesh to keep the butterflies off but let the predators in. I'm learning to live with the whitefly...

[vikkib]

Draping enviromesh may help with whitefly (I've no idea ) but it does have the big negative of letting cabbage whites lay their eggs into the leaves below.

Hmmmmmm... I think a bit more trial (and inevitable error!) is required on my part then! I can cope with *some* whitefly but those little caterpillar b*ggers chomping through my plants... no way!

Last year I had loads of whitefly and I had used veggiemesh - it didn't work for me. I also had very bad cabbage aphid so decided this year to use soft butterfly mesh to keep the butterflies off but let the predators in. I'm learning to live with the whitefly...

I've had a lot of aphids as well. Grrrrr!

I could cope with the levels of whitefly last year but this year there have just been sooooo many and cleaning the curly kale took longer than growing the stuff!

[rodpat]

Have used enviromesh for the last two seasons and am still inundated with whitefly. Inless you are going to use it for something else I wouldn't waste your money. Am still looking for a solution.