Growers’ experience with insect netting – Gebr. Nederpel

A year and a half after installing insect netting at Gebr. Nederpel in Wateringen, grower René de Bakker already sees clear results. “We can now really see the difference between the location with and the one without insect netting,” he says with satisfaction. “Thrips are no longer a major invasion, and whitefly normally a big issue in poinsettias hasn’t appeared at all this year.”

In 2024, the pot chrysanthemum and poinsettia grower had the SchermNed insect netting filter installed at one of his three locations. At the time, René was mainly curious about the effect on the greenhouse climate. “The climate in the greenhouse is exactly what I had hoped for,” he said back then. He is now also convinced of its impact on pest control: “We’re really happy with the insect netting. It keeps a lot out, without the greenhouse getting too warm.”

Preventing major pest influxes

Although not everything stays out completely, René says the pressure from pest insects has been significantly reduced. “Some still come in, mainly through doors that open and close. But the major influx can be effectively prevented with the netting especially in combination with biological control. ”The grower deliberately chose SchermNed’s insect netting filter because of its ventilation capacity. “We didn’t want to compromise on ventilation. With this system, the air movement remains good we can see that clearly in the climate computer,” he explained earlier. The dehumidification systems installed by Gebr. Nederpel last year also help to keep the climate stable.

A more stable growing season

While last summer was mostly wet and dark, the effect of the netting is now even clearer due to the changing weather conditions. “When it comes to pest influx, we can really see differences between the locations. The greenhouse with netting stays cleaner,” says René. He is now considering equipping the other locations with insect netting as well. “We want to take it step by step, but it’s clear that this works,” he concludes.