Leaf Net

[Big Lou]

What is the likelihood that a leaf net will entrap birds?

How do you install a leaf net over a pond with tall in water plants?

 

[Tula]

I'm using a new net this year, a 1/8 inch mesh. I don't think it would entrap a bird, but I did cut back my tall plants for winter. If you have nice sedges and such, I'm thinking you'd have to work the net around them?

 

[HARO]

... or raise it above them!
John

 

[j.w]

Yep Lou like John said just attache your net to poles above all the tall plants. I have a permanent net above mine on tall posts but it's not for keeping leaves out..............keeps the heron out. It has 4" holes. No birds ever get entangled in mine. If your sides are open and the net is higher the birds will just fly under to get to pond. I did have some smaller weaved holed bird netting over some plants in my garden one year to keep the crows and deer out and fortunately I went out everyday to check the plants and discovered a little bird trapped under the netting that hung all the way to the ground. He was ok but couldn't get out so I just lifted the net and let him go. After that I raised it up a bit and had no problems after that.

 

[Big Lou]

Yep Lou like John said just attache your net to poles above all the tall plants. I have a permanent net above mine on tall posts but it's not for keeping leaves out..............keeps the heron out. It has 4" holes. No birds ever get entangled in mine. If your sides are open and the net is higher the birds will just fly under to get to pond. I did have some smaller weaved holed bird netting over some plants in my garden one year to keep the crows and deer out and fortunately I went out everyday to check the plants and discovered a little bird trapped under the netting that hung all the way to the ground. He was ok but couldn't get out so I just lifted the net and let him go. After that I raised it up a bit and had no problems after that.

About how high? The bird feeder is about 10, 15 feet from the pond. Many birds fly from the trees on both sides of the pond to get to the feeder. I felt putting up the net would deprive the birds and othe wildlife from getting water.

 

[Lisaebetten]

It is a dilemma, I watched a red dragon fly try several times to get down to the water but couldn't get past the net!!! I opened a 6x12 inch edge so it the insects that are smart enough will get to the water. Bees are maneuvering thru o.k., the weave is small. I will be happy when my 3 million leaves are down and I can put that net away!

 

[j.w]

I would just put it up high enough to be above the plants in the pond. If you leave the sides open somewhat for the birds to get in do you think all your leaves will blow in under there? If so then I don't know what to tell ya. You could put a bird bath out there for the birds while you are waiting for the leaves to be done.

 

[Big Lou]

You have it spot on JW. The wind would blow those fine cypress trees leafs right in the pond. A seasonal bird bath is an excellent idea.

 

[Fishylove]

My leaf net goes up when the black walnut tree starts shedding. I also changed the net to one with larger holes..after the frogs that got stuck and died last winter, doesn't keep every leaf out but wildlife can at least get in and out. I cut my sedges back in the fall, they come back every spring Lou.

 

[addy1]

Mine is like jw's wide weave high above the pond, heron keep out only. I did use deer fencing one year as anti heron, quit after finding two little dead birds that got trapped under it and drowned.

I just net the leaves out, we don't get a ton into the pond, well we might if the wind blows the wrong way. Our huge maple is only 15 feet from the pond, Usually the wind blows them away from the pond, usually lol

 

[Fishylove]

Yeah I have two big maples right next to the pond. If I didn't cover it with a net I would find the fish Hey @addy1 do you cut your bog back in the fall or wait till spring?

 

[Big Lou]

Thanks everyone.

 

[addy1]

do you cut your bog back in the fall or wait till spring?

I have done both, but prefer to cut the plants back in the fall, usually as soon as they start to die off. That way less rotting dissolving of the plant matter on the pea gravel, less cleaning in the spring.

 

[Fishylove]

I think I'll do that this year, and maybe cover the bog too. Last year I didn't cover the bog and had alot of decayed leaves in there to clean up. Yuk!

 

[addy1]

Last year I didn't cover the bog and had alot of decayed leaves in there to clean up. Yuk!

I just took a rake to it in the spring to rake out anything missed in the fall. When the surface is dry from sitting all winter it is easy to rake the stuff out.

I have so many frogs in the bog if I tried to net it, might trap some of the lil froggies.