[Bohobumble]

Last weekend I spent a couple of hours setting up poles, covering with posh netting (that isn't big enough for the brassica bed), stitching some cheap nets on the sides and making absolutely certain there were no unwanted gaps in the nets.


I then picked off all the butterfly eggs on the brassica by hand. and pinned down all the edges with tent pegs.


Yesterday, I had to rescue and re-hydrate my resident greenhouse toad as he'd gotten entangled.


Today, there was a  butterfly trapped *inside* the nets!


Grr.


I chased it out but couldn't find the gap she'd used.


Then I saw another, waltz right in through one of the cheap side nets

[RJR_38]

Debris netting is the best option - cheaper than enviro mesh, comes in bigger widths and keeps the try hard butterflies out!

[BARNACLE BILL]

My Brassicas were devastated by the Cabbage White Butterfly last year. This year I invested in Enviromesh. Yes it's expensive but its hard wearing. So over the next few years it will pay for itself. At least I am getting a crop this year. The problem is the width of the mesh. You need to have smaller beds to get good coverage. So debris netting may be the answer. The general netting for keeping birds at bay, will not deter the Butterflies !

BB

[Goneterseed]

A word of caution with debris netting, it has holes in it for fixing to scaffolding and if you stretch it tight the holes open up and the critters can get through.

[RJR_38]

This is true. I weave thick strong through mine - much easier than sewing up and still works

[shazlette]

So pleased I came across this post. I have used ordinary netting and have always had critters of all kinds get into my veggies. I will definitely buy some environetting for next year. Hopefully it will stop the mice chewing away at my courgettes too!!!

[mumofstig]

This is true. I weave thick strong through mine - much easier than sewing up and still works

Mine get a run through the sowing machine 

Cabbage white butterflies are fairly big, but the small white, is obviously, smaller and can get through ordinary 'butterfly/brassica netting'. they're only about 40mm.
Veggiemesh usually works out cheaper than enviromesh
http://www.gardening-naturally.com/acatalog/Veggiemesh.html

Debris netting is usually cheaper still 

[Tenhens]

I bought debris netting via the online auction site. Available in various colours but most tend to go for green. The width is either 2 or 3 meters and length varies up to 50   Do check on postage, combine cost of netting for the best deal. 

[RJR_38]

This is true. I weave thick strong through mine - much easier than sewing up and still works

Mine get a run through the sowing machine 

Cabbage white butterflies are fairly big, but the small white, is obviously, smaller and can get through ordinary 'butterfly/brassica netting'. they're only about 40mm.
Veggiemesh usually works out cheaper than enviromesh
http://www.gardening-naturally.com/acatalog/Veggiemesh.html

Debris netting is usually cheaper still 

If I tried to do it in the tiny sewing machine I have I am sure I would end up entangled in it or somehow sewn into it ;£

edit to clarify quote

[surbie100]

I use this stuff, which works well and thankfully is hardly visible when it's up.

http://www.gardening-naturally.com/acatalog/Protection_Netting.html

[rosiecider]

I used 5mm squared "insect" netting and couldn't understand how cabbage whites were still getting on cabbages I watched them literally squeezing their wings through the 5mm squares ... so enviromesh is the only option

[mumofstig]

Enviromesh is a brand name for Agralan's fine mesh.
As mentioned above Veggiemesh do make fine mesh that was slightly cheaper last time I compared prices 

http://www.gardening-naturally.com/acatalog/Veggiemesh.html

[sunshineband]

I use this stuff, which works well and thankfully is hardly visible when it's up.

http://www.gardening-naturally.com/acatalog/Protection_Netting.html

I use this too, but found that the advice that it could be laid directly over crops enabled butterflies to poke their bottoms through to lay eggs on the cabbage leaves.  So now it is on a framework to hold it clear of the leaves, which works well 

[RJR_38]

I use this stuff, which works well and thankfully is hardly visible when it's up.

http://www.gardening-naturally.com/acatalog/Protection_Netting.html

I use this too, but found that the advice that it could be laid directly over crops enabled butterflies to poke their bottoms through to lay eggs on the cabbage leaves.  So now it is on a framework to hold it clear of the leaves, which works well 

Have to say I wondered about that too when it said you could lay it directly over the top. I am guessing it would be ok to lay directly over the top for carrots (carrot fly) and onions (leaf miner)?

[mumofstig]

The butterfly netting in that particular link will not keep out carrot fly or onion fly - their veggiemesh will though 

To clarify............butterfly netting here
http://www.gardening-naturally.com/acatalog/Protection_Netting.html

veggiemesh for 

cabbage root fly, carrot fly, cabbage white butterfly, pea moth, leek moth, cutworm, onion fly, leaf miners and many species of aphids.

here
http://www.gardening-naturally.com/acatalog/Veggiemesh.html