Kitchen Garden Forum

Hi I put up a fruit cage this year to cover my raspberries and a couple of fruit trees. I used some netting (green plastic) that my father had used some years ago but which still strong and servicable. Since putting up the cage large and small holes keep appearing all over the cage - i.e roof, sides etc. Even some that I have sewn up seem to have the string nibbled and opened up again. At first I thought it was mice, and we have caught a few, but these holes are really quite large in places and I would have thought it was unlikely that it is the mice. Can't think what other animal would make them. Any suggestions would be gratefully received.

Thank you

Hello Elizajane, could it be Squirrels, they can be very destrutive little creatures.

It may be it is just too old and now it has got into the strong light and is under some tension it is showing its age. Is it plastic or cotton as yout string reference suggests?

Thank you Geoff and Oldherbaceous for your replies. I think it might be squirrels as we have one or two around who are very cheeky. The netting is made of plastic and seems to have bits missing around the area of the holes, which would suggest an animal rather than it is old and weak. I have tested it close the areas that have holes and it seems to be strong enough. Not sure how I control the squirrels other than trying to catch them. I wonder if I can spray the netting with something that doesn't appeal to them - chili sauce perhaps?!!

Has anyone near you had a bonfire or bonfires. Our fleece used to suffer from the hot ashes that flew up from neighbouring plotters bonfires. Could the holes be where the net has been melted in the same way?

Just a long shot!