Did you know that some types of fruit netting are not allowed for use in Victorian households due to the dangers they pose to our local wildlife?
It’s illegal in Victoria to use or sell household fruit tree netting with a mesh size bigger than 5mm x 5mm. Larger mesh netting is more likely to entangle, distress, and seriously injure or kill animals. To help check if netting is compliant, try poking a finger through the mesh — if it can pass through, then it’s too big.
As we approach the cooler months, now is a good time to remove any netting draped over your fruit trees following the end of the season, and also dispose of damaged and/or illegal netting. Community members should remove and stop using non-compliant netting immediately.
In addition to using netting with a legal mesh size, experts also encourage:
- Using white-coloured netting with a cross-weave design to help nocturnal animals see and avoid it at night
- Tightly securing netting to a frame or tree trunk to prevent trapping terrestrial species
- Protecting selected branches with fruit bags or sleeves, rather than netting the whole tree
The Conservation Regulator, Zoos Victoria, RSPCA Victoria, Wildlife Victoria, and Animal Welfare Victoria are working together to address the dangers illegal household netting poses to wildlife. Wildlife at risk include birds, reptiles, and mammals like the threatened grey-headed flying-fox.
The threatened grey-headed flying-fox plays an important part in our ecosystem. Their diet of fruit and nectar from more than 100 species of native flowering and fruiting plants helps pollinate trees and disperse seeds. Many native and threatened plant species rely on flying-foxes for survival. These important animals can easily become entangled in illegal netting as they search for their food.
If community members find a flying-fox trapped in fruit tree netting, do not attempt to touch or handle it yourself. Call an experienced, vaccinated wildlife rescuer to assist. To find a rescuer to help with injured wildlife, call 136 186 or use the Help for Injured Wildlife Tool.
In Victoria, all wildlife is protected by law, and it is illegal to use or sell illegal household fruit netting. The community is encouraged to report illegal netting sightings to Crime Stoppers Victoria on 1800 333 000.
