Polytunnels - rookie question

[SeeNic]

Hi, this is my first season growing veg in a small garden plot. I'm thinking of getting a polytunnel to protect my carrot seedlings. My question is won't I be trapping insects inside when I place in and thus ensuring they eat up my veg?

Sorry if this is a silly question but I'm brand new to this 😁.

[bario1]

Do you mean a polythene tunnel cloche? I think of a polytunnel as something you can walk around in....

[bario1]

Assuming you do mean a cloche, then it will help against cold weather and wind, but not really against insects - for that you will need an environmesh (fine netting) cloche. The only insect you need to worry about with carrots is carrot root fly, and providing there are none about when you put the netting on, it should keep them out.

[SeeNic]

No, I mean a small plastic tunnel only about a metre long, 6 inch high to pop over the seedlings. I've seen them in the garden centre.

What time of year are carrot fly around?

Thanks!

[bario1]

May - October according to the RHS

https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=485

[Penellype]

You will need a bigger, more permanent mesh cover for carrots.