Best Pond Netting for a Safe and Protected Pond
by Tory Jon | Last Updated: January 01, 2024
Pond Academy is reader-supported. Buying through links on our site may earn us an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Is your pond being overtaken with leaves and debris?
Or worse, do you have a problem with predators entering your pond?
Pond netting is an extremely cheap and effective way to protect your pond from predators, leaves and other debris.
But, pond netting comes in a variety of different types, each built for a specific purpose.
Below we take a closer look at 5 of the leading pond netting products on the market today and help you find the best net for your pond and situation!
Pond Netting Comparison Chart
*Buying through links in this chart may earn us a commission at no additional cost to you.
5 Best Pond Coverings
Let's take a closer look at the best pond netting for leaves, predator control and for koi fish ponds.
Dewitt Deluxe Pond Netting - 1/4in Mesh
Dewitt Deluxe Pond netting offers one of the smallest mesh sizes on the market, with bonded mesh strands for incredible durability.
This net is made from a polypropylene material that is UV treated to give it an extra long life under the harsh sun.
This net is durable and strong enough to keep most large predators, like cranes and raccoons, out of your pond. And it’s perfect for large, heavy debris, as well as, keeping smaller debris from entering your pond because of it’s finer mesh size.
Available in:
- 20’x20’
- 20’x30’
Dalen Pond Netting - 3/8in Mesh
Dalen pond netting offers a 3/8in mesh size, which is considered the middle of the road as far as mesh sizes go.
The lightweight net is perfect for floating on top of your pond, making it nearly invisible to the naked eye.
And it’s extremely versatile as it can be used to easily cover swimming pools, water gardens, and hot tubs, as well.
Available in:
- 28’28’
Aquascape Protective Pond Netting - 3/4in Mesh
Aquascapes protective pond netting also features a 3/4in mesh (roughly the size of a penny) and is strong to protect your pond from predators, as well as, large debris like leaves and sticks.
It’s made of a quality woven poly material that resists tearing and wear so you’ll be able to use it year after year.
This pond net also comes with 14 stakes to neatly secure it to the ground.
Available in:
- 7’x10’
- 14’x20’
- 28x30’
Laguna Pond Netting - 1/2in Mesh
Laguna pond netting offers a 1/2in mesh size. I highly recommend this particular pond net if you’re looking for the best value for your money.
This net is made from a durable, yet stretchy nylon material that makes it easy to stretch over uneven pond surfaces.
This is a great pond netting for all types of leaves and debris, as well as, from predators.
It comes with 6 stakes to help secure it to the ground.
Available in:
- 15’x12’
- 15’x20’
- 20x30’
Atlantic Water Gardens Raised Pond Protector - 1/2in Mesh
The Atlantic Water Gardens Raised Pond Protector is an elevated, dome-shaped pond net that keeps debris and predators out of your pond.
The elevated dome allows your pond plants to grow unobstructedly underneath the netting.
This poly netting is also UV treated to extend its life from the harsh outdoor elements.
This net also has many other uses for when you don’t need it to protect your pond. For example, it makes a great cover for your garden to keep rabbits and other wildlife from intruding.
The netting covers up to 15ft. x 15ft. of pond area, the frame covers 9ft. x 12ft. and the actual net size itself is 20ft. x 20ft.
Pond Netting Buyers Guide
If you have a garden pond which is prone to invasions from leaves and predators who poach your fish, you may want to consider putting up some pond netting.
The best netting is designed to be subtle, with some even being “invisible” as to not ruin your picturesque garden.
Nonetheless, whether you need animal-proof pond netting or heavy-duty pond netting for leaves and debris, there are a lot of options to consider before making your purchase and selecting the best pond netting for you.
Why Do I Need Pond Netting?
The main two reasons to cover your pond with a net is to catch leaves and debris and deter predators like heron and raccoons.
Let’s look at how pond netting can help you tackle these problems.
Leaves & Debris
If your pond is near foliage, which it most likely is, then it’s going to encounter problems with fallen dead leaves, especially in the colder months of the year.
Leaves falling onto your pond not only make the pond appear untidy and unkempt, but it also leads to blockages and they contribute to the pond sludge at the bottom of your pond.
Fallen leaves often get sucked into pond drainage and filtering systems, making your pond less hygienic while also causing you technical problems. Sometimes these leaf blockages can necessitate expensive repairs for your pond, something we would all rather avoid.
However, heavy-duty pond netting for leaves will help alleviate this problem. With your pond netting drawn across the surface of the water, the leaves will simply fall and land on the net, almost appearing as though they are floating on the surface of the water. You can then easily remove this debris without having to reach into your pond or pull apart its filter system. Netting also comes in handy if you're trying to keep a pond clean with a filter.
Predators
Although the predators terrorizing your pond population will vary from place to place, there are undoubtedly a few usual suspects who crop up in different regions.
One of the most obvious threats is herons. Although herons are beautiful and swan-like, they can wreak havoc on your pond population, as they have a habit of snatching fish straight out of ponds.
Did you know...
Herons have a similar defensive nature to geese. In other words, don’t try to run at them and scare them – they will attack you.
Raccoons are also a common pond nuisance. Raccoons are nocturnal animals which tend to prey on the fish in the shallower parts of your pond during the cover of night, making it difficult to catch them in the act.
Another common predator is snapping turtles – these turtles are known to eat many pond animals, including ducklings. Snapping turtles have powerful jaws which are capable of severing a human finger, so it's not recommended that you try to pick them up or manually remove them.
Related: How to Get Rid of Turtles in a Pond
Luckily, pond netting can prevent all of these predators and more from eating your pond life. Even if a heron, for example, manages to fit its beak through the net, it still will not be able to remove its prey from the pond, forcing it to leave your fish alone. Check out our heron deterrent guide for more tips to repel these birds.
Snakes making their way to your pond can be a little trickier. A fine mesh pond netting may do the trick as long as the perimeter of the net is tightly secured to the ground. If you're having troubles with snakes then check out our guide on how to get rid of snakes in ponds for some effective tips and tricks.
What Type Of Pond Netting Do I Need?
When choosing the best netting for your pond, you'll want to first look at the mesh size and durability of the net. Let's take a closer look at each.
Mesh Size
The majority of pond netting comes with a mesh weave which is diamond shaped. The openings can come in various sizes depending on your needs, with some openings being as large as 1.25”.
Generally speaking, a 3/8″ mesh will do the job of catching debris and deterring predators. A 3/8″ mesh is tight enough that it will keep leaves out, while still being open enough that it will let food in. After all, your pond needs to be somewhat exposed to the elements, just not to the point that it threatens your pond’s ecosystem.
However, if you’re dealing with finer debris and materials, you should consider an even finer mesh. This will depend on your region, although some pond owners will be dealing with falling acorns, pine needles, and other wildlife debris which could slip through a 3/8” mesh.
Bear in mind that if you make your mesh smaller than 3/8″, you may have difficulty getting food to pass through it. Also, the finer the pond netting, the less visible your pond will become due to the excess of fabric covering it.
If you’re after that seamless “invisible pond netting” look, then a fine mesh is not going to cut it. You also need to consider that koi fish need sunlight in order to survive, and a fine mesh limits this sunlight. A fine mesh also limits the air circulation which a pond receives too, meaning that your pond population may be subjected to subpar levels of oxygen in their water.
Durability
Heavy duty pond netting is absolutely necessary when you’re dealing with leaves as opposed to birds. Leaves and debris can be heavy when it’s dry, and in the autumn and winter when they’re more plentiful, they’re often wet too, making them even heavier. As a result, light-duty invisible pond netting will not do the trick – the best pond netting is always going to be heavy duty pond net which can withstand the weight of all that debris.
As mentioned in the earlier “mesh sizes” section, you should also consider the type of leaves you’re dealing with in your local area. For example, large maple leaves could be easily caught with 3/8” heavy duty pond netting, while finer debris such as pine needles and acorns may require heavy duty pond netting with a finer mesh size.
What Is The Best Pond Netting Material?
There are three main types of pond netting material, each serving it's own unique purpose. Let's find out which material will best suit your pond and situation.
Polyethylene/ Nylon Supported Pond Netting
Usually made from nylon, polyethylene, or plastic, supported pond nets are usually held in place with ground stakes. The mesh itself is strong and durable, making it ideal for most seasons, although it may struggle in winter. This type of pond net should be ideal for catching leaves and warding off animals such as cats and herons.
Nylon netting is resistant to rot and allows you to easily see through to your pond, making it a popular form of invisible pond netting. Nylon is UV resistant, meaning it won’t be subject to sun damage, and it also tends to be lightweight and robust. A nylon supported net is ideal for most everyday pond protection purposes.
High-Quality Floating Pond Netting
Floating pond netting tends to be made from materials which have been UV stabilized to increase their lifespan. Most commonly, floating pond nets are made from high-quality treated nylon or polyethylene, and they have a knotted construction which makes them very reliable.
The floating nature of the netting means that you simply throw it onto the surface of your pond and secure it at the edges using small pins or rocks. This is especially useful if you’re going for a subtler aesthetic.
Floating nets are waterproof and will not rot, and they are also safe for pond plants to grow around. This invisible pond netting is barely visible on the water, which once again is ideal for pond owners who are after a more stripped-back and natural look.
Polypropylene Shade Cloth Pond Netting
Shade cloth netting is less common than the other types of pond netting mentioned here, yet it serves a very specific purpose. Made from finely woven high-quality polypropylene, shade cloth netting is designed to protect ponds from debris and sunlight. This thick netting blocks up to 70% of sunlight, stopping the UV rays from reaching your pond. You install this netting like you would most pond netting – with large stakes or pegs.
This waterproof netting allows for great ventilation while protecting your pond ecosystem from excessive sun damage in the heat. It is very heavy duty pond netting and, of course, it will catch fallen leaves and debris. This netting is designed to protect fish from overheating when the summer months get too hot, although it can also deter predators and debris as you would expect.
How To Install Pond Netting
There are many methods you can use to install your pond net. It’s not necessarily as simple as pulling some netting over a pond and hammering it into place.
Of course, if you’re looking to save money, time, or prefer a simple aesthetic, then simply stretching your netting across the pond at the surface and securing it into place may be enough for you.
Simple Stretch
If you want to have a very basic pond netting installation, we certainly don't blame you! Simply stretch the net over the surface of the water and secure it into place. Depending on the type of net you buy, it may come with equipment and/or tools for securing it into place. For example, some nets come with weather-resistant plastic stakes (similar to tent pegs) which you hammer into the ground around the net, keeping it taut and strong. Be sure to hammer these stakes deep into the ground – you don’t want wind or garden wildlife to disrupt them!
If going with the simple stretch method, be careful when letting your net sit on the surface of the water. Not only is this less effective at deterring predators, but it can also cause the netting to submerge under the weight of fallen leaves. This threatens the safety of goldfish, koi, and many other creatures in a pond ecosystem.
Also, bear in mind that you may want to leave one small corner of the net open. This is because small birds (which do little harm) may get trapped under your net. No one wants a dead bird floating in their pond!
Pond Tents & Domes
Some pond owners opt for pond tents and domes which come in a range of styles. Pond tents and domes are raised above the surface of your pond, keeping predators and leaves well away from your pond population. However, they are far from subtle, so they’re not ideal if you’re the type of person who enjoys invisible pond netting. Nonetheless, some of the designs for their structures are very chic and pleasing, making them a feature of their own.
The advantage of pond tents and domes is that they are more versatile than regular nets, and they can be placed on uneven ground strategically. For example, if your pond is surrounded by surfaces of different heights, then hammering a net into place is going to be tricky, and it’s most likely going to be slanted. On the other hand, a custom pond dome can be built to adapt to these surroundings.
One of the main downsides with pond domes and tents is their strength in the winter. In the winter, when large amounts of snow will settle on the pond dome, the frame may become warped under the weight of the heavy snow. Snow is heavier than it seems and could threaten the structural integrity of the pond tent or dome. As a result, you should invest in a strong and robust pond dome if you live in an area prone to heavy snowfall in the winter. If you cannot find or afford the best pond netting structure, consider taking it inside during heavy snowfall. Your pond may be threatened for a few cold days, but you won’t have to fork out for a new pond dome!
Both manufactured and DIY pond structures are popular with pond owners, and many people make their own pond netting frame out of PVC or other similar materials. Just remember that you don’t always have to cover every inch of your pond with netting – sometimes some strategic placement can be enough to deter predators or keep leaves at bay.
After all, if you’re just looking to keep leaves out of your garden but they only tend to gather at one end of the pond, you might as well limit your netting to the affected end.
