If you have a garden, orchard, or flower bed that keeps getting destroyed at night, you have probably asked yourself, does deer netting work before spending more money on a fix. The short answer is yes, but only if you set it up correctly. Deer netting works best as a physical barrier when installed with proper tension and adequate height, but many homeowners fail because they buy the wrong mesh or skip critical steps like staking.
Deer are creatures of habit. They will not fight a barrier they cannot see through clearly or jump over easily. In this guide, we will break down exactly when netting succeeds, when it fails, and how to install it so you never wake up to eaten hostas again.
Does Deer Netting Work For Every Situation
No single product solves every wildlife problem. Netting is excellent for protecting specific areas, but it is not a magic fence that works everywhere. You need to match the netting type to the pressure level in your yard.
Low Pressure Areas
If you live in a suburban neighborhood with only occasional deer visits, standard polypropylene netting works fine. This is the thin, black mesh you see at garden centers. It is cheap, lightweight, and easy to drape over shrubs.
High Pressure Rural Areas
When deer are starving or have established a daily feeding route, thin netting fails quickly. They will push through it, tear it with their hooves, or simply walk over the top if it is too low. In these cases, you need heavy-duty woven netting with a tensile strength of at least 200 pounds.
Temporary Versus Permanent Protection
Netting is not a permanent structure. UV rays degrade plastic over time. Expect to replace standard netting every 2 to 3 years. Heavy-duty versions last 5 to 7 years if you store them in winter.
Here is a quick breakdown of what netting can and cannot do:
- Works well: Protecting vegetable gardens, fruit trees, berry bushes, and individual ornamental plants.
- Works poorly: Protecting large open lawns or areas where deer can easily jump over a 6-foot fence.
- Fails completely: When left with gaps at the bottom or when installed with loose sagging sections.
Why Deer Netting Fails In Real Gardens
Most people blame the product when the real problem is installation errors. Let us look at the top five reasons your netting might not be working.
Incorrect Height
Deer can clear a 6-foot fence from a standstill. If you install netting at 4 feet, you are basically building a hurdle for them. For whitetail deer, the netting must be at least 7 to 8 feet tall if you are not angling it outward.
Poor Visibility
Deer have poor depth perception. They will not run into something they cannot see. If your netting is dark green or black and blends into the background, deer will try to walk through it. The first time they hit it, they panic and tear it down. Use white or brightly colored netting for the top strand, or attach flagging tape every few feet.
Loose Tension
Netting that sags is useless. A deer will push under a loose bottom edge or step on the sagging middle section. The netting must be pulled drum-tight and secured every 5 to 6 feet along the perimeter.
Gaps At The Bottom
This is the most common mistake. People hang netting from posts but leave a 6-inch gap at the soil line. Fawns can squeeze through, and adult deer will drop to their knees and crawl under. The bottom of the netting must touch the ground and be pinned down with landscape staples.
Single Layer Thinking
One layer of netting is rarely enough for determined deer. A double-layer system, with one net at 3 feet and another at 6 feet, confuses them. They cannot see a clear path, so they move on to easier food sources.
How To Install Deer Netting Correctly
Follow these steps to get the best results from your netting. This method works for both temporary seasonal protection and permanent garden enclosures.
Step 1: Measure The Perimeter
Walk around the area you want to protect. Add 10% extra length to your netting order to account for sagging and tying off. For a standard vegetable garden, you need netting that is at least 7 feet wide.
Step 2: Choose The Right Posts
Do not use flimsy plastic stakes. You need metal T-posts or 4×4 wooden posts driven at least 2 feet into the ground. Space them 8 to 10 feet apart. If you use wood posts, treat them with preservative to prevent rot.
Step 3: Attach The Netting Securely
Start at one corner post. Use zip ties or heavy-duty staples to attach the netting. Pull it as tight as you can, then secure it to the next post. Work your way around the perimeter. The netting should feel like a drum skin when you tap it.
Step 4: Pin The Bottom Edge
Lay the bottom of the netting flat on the ground. Use 6-inch landscape staples every 2 feet. This prevents animals from lifting the netting. If you have rocky soil, use heavy rocks or bricks instead.
Step 5: Add A Top Guide Wire
For extra height, run a steel cable or wire along the top of your posts. Attach the netting to this wire. This adds stability and prevents the netting from collapsing under snow or wind.
Step 6: Create A Gate
You need access to your garden. Leave a 3-foot gap and use zip ties to create a temporary door. Simply cut the netting, install a simple hook-and-loop closure, or use a wooden gate frame.
Alternative Methods To Combine With Netting
Netting works better when you pair it with other deterrents. Deer are smart, but they are also cautious. A multi-layered approach is your best defense.
Scent Repellents
Spray a commercial deer repellent on the netting itself. The smell makes the barrier seem dangerous. Reapply after heavy rain. Rotate between two different repellent brands every month so deer do not get used to the scent.
Motion Activated Sprinklers
Place a motion-activated sprinkler near the netting line. When a deer touches the netting, the water blast reinforces the barrier. This is highly effective for training deer to stay away.
Visual Deterrents
Hang shiny reflective tape or old CDs from the top of the netting. The movement and flashes of light scare deer, especially at dawn and dusk when they are feeding.
Sound Devices
Wind chimes or ultrasonic devices can help, but they are less reliable. Deer quickly get used to constant noise. Use them only as a supplement to the physical netting barrier.
Cost Comparison: Netting Versus Other Fences
You might be wondering if netting is worth the money compared to other options. Here is a quick cost breakdown per 100 linear feet.
- Polypropylene netting: $30 to $60. Lasts 2 to 3 years. Good for temporary use.
- Heavy-duty woven netting: $150 to $300. Lasts 5 to 7 years. Better for permanent use.
- Metal wire fence (5-foot): $200 to $400. Lasts 20+ years. Requires more labor to install.
- Electric fence: $300 to $600. Very effective but requires maintenance and power source.
Netting is the most budget-friendly option, but you have to factor in replacement costs. If you plan to stay in your home for more than 5 years, a metal fence might be cheaper in the long run. However, netting is far less obtrusive visually and does not block your view of the garden.
Common Deer Netting Mistakes To Avoid
Let us recap the critical errors that make people think netting is useless. Avoid these and you will have success.
- Buying netting that is too short. Always go taller than you think you need.
- Ignoring the bottom gap. Pin it down. No exceptions.
- Using weak posts. A strong deer can snap a fiberglass stake in one push.
- Forgetting to check for holes. Inspect the netting monthly for tears caused by squirrels or falling branches.
- Leaving the netting up in winter. Heavy snow can collapse the entire structure. Take it down and store it.
Seasonal Considerations For Netting
Deer pressure changes throughout the year. Your netting strategy should change too.
Spring And Summer
This is when deer are raising fawns and eating constantly. Netting is essential. Make sure it is installed before your plants emerge. Once deer establish a feeding pattern, it is harder to break.
Fall
Deer are preparing for winter and will eat almost anything. Check your netting for damage before the rut begins. Male deer rubbing antlers can tear netting easily.
Winter
In deep snow, deer can walk over a 6-foot fence. Either take the netting down or add a temporary top extension. Also, snow can weigh down the netting and break posts. Remove heavy snow accumulation after storms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does deer netting work for keeping rabbits out too?
Yes, if you use a smaller mesh size. Standard deer netting has 2-inch to 4-inch holes. Rabbits can squeeze through those. You need a 1-inch mesh or add a separate chicken wire layer at the bottom.
Can deer jump over a 6-foot netting fence?
Yes, a healthy adult deer can clear 6 feet easily. For netting to be effective against jumping, it needs to be 8 feet tall or angled outward at a 45-degree angle. The angle makes it hard for deer to judge the height.
How long does deer netting last outside?
Standard polypropylene netting lasts 2 to 3 years before UV damage makes it brittle. Heavy-duty polyethylene netting can last 5 to 7 years. You can extend the life by taking it down in winter and storing it indoors.
Will deer netting hurt the deer?
No, deer netting is designed to be a deterrent, not a trap. The mesh is soft and flexible. Deer will not get entangled if the netting is installed correctly. However, loose netting can wrap around antlers or legs, so always keep it taut.
Is deer netting visible to deer at night?
Deer have excellent night vision but poor depth perception. Dark netting is nearly invisible at night. To improve visibility, attach white flagging tape or reflective strips every 3 to 4 feet along the top and middle of the netting.
Final Verdict: Is Netting Worth It
So, does deer netting work? Yes, it is one of the most effective and affordable solutions available, but it demands effort. You cannot just throw a roll of netting over your tomatoes and hope for the best. The installation is everything.
Take the time to measure, buy quality materials, and secure every edge. If you do that, you will protect your plants and enjoy a deer-free garden for years. If you skip the steps, you will be disappointed and out a few dollars.
Start with a small area to test your setup. Once you see it working, expand it to cover your entire property. Your plants will thank you, and you will finally get to enjoy the fruits of your labor without sharing them with the local herd.