[hiccup]

Evening All
              My brussels have just about outgrown the enviromesh, is it safe to take it of
                   now. Bit worried about the pigeons i've seen lurking about.

[mumofstig]

Have to leave the nets on all the time here - against caterpillars and/or birds.

[hiccup]

ok mum thanks for that.

[Goosegirl]

I've been rather confused about netting brassicas, especially sprouts. When I have done in the past, I've had virtually no caterpillars or pigeons bothering them, but I have had lots of heebie-jeebie insects eating and spoiling the buttons. Maybe the birds would have removed these if I hadn't netted?   

[beesrus]

Don't say that GG, my Brussels are looking a picture this year under their mesh, best ever. I do wonder sometimes about trapped insects etc, and my turnips definitely fared better from flea beetle with the net off.
I do leave the brussels mesh off all day when I'm weeding/watering/inspecting and guess a good hoeing 2 or 3 times a season can disrupt all sort of emerging nuisances in the soil. Am thinking of replacing the enviromesh with the black fine 5 mm net for the second half of the season for a bit more two-way traffic. Not quite so much protection needed now they are so large and well advanced ?