Mist Net Information

Updated 11/24

We offer three brand selections of mist nets:

Click here for Avinet (USA) mist nets.

Click here for Japanese mist nets.

Click here for Ecotone mist nets.

If you aren't sure what you're looking for, take a look at the tables below to help you compare the nets that we have available. Don't see what you are looking for? Let us know! Special orders can be accommodated with advance notice.  

Avinet mist nets are made with care by our team of experienced net makers. Our production methods ensure that nets of the same design are made to the same specifications by different production staff. While we appreciate that customers value the individuals of our team and sometimes request that their nets be made by a specific team member, we cannot guarantee that we can meet such requests. Avinet reserves the right to apply a fee of up to 20% for special requests and customizations. 

What mesh size should I use?

<24mm (1") x 70/2 denier/ply
This is the smallest standard mesh size, usually used only for hummingbirds. Some banders prefer this size for capturing kinglets and the smallest wood warblers, but birds as small as Song Sparrows will sometimes bounce out of this net; species that take band sizes larger than 0 or 0A are best captured with a larger-size mesh.

30/32mm (1 1/4") x 70/2 or 110/2 denier/ply
This net works well at capturing typical wood warblers, wrens, smaller sparrows (Chipping, Field, etc.). It will capture birds as large as Northern Cardinals, but works best for birds that take band sizes 0 and 1.

38/36mm (1 1/2") x 70/2 or 110/2 denier/ply
36mm and 38mm mesh is the "all-purpose" size for banders. Although hummingbirds and kinglets may slip through this mesh, with enough bag it will catch wood warblers and sparrows, plus most birds that take 1A or 1B band sizes.

60/61mm (~2-1/2") x 110/2 or 210/2 denier/ply
This net is ideal for large thrushes, Northern saw-whet owl, American kestrel, and other birds of a similar weight and dimension. Birds the size of chickadees and wood warblers can slip through almost without stopping. In general, this size works well with birds that wear band sizes 2 through 5.

90/100mm (3 1/2"-3.9") x 210/2 or 210/4 denier/ply

This size is best for small to medium raptors, such as sharp-shinned hawks, peregrine falcons, and medium sized owls. A thrush-sized bird can likely slip through without stopping.

121/127mm (4.7-5") x 210/4 denier/ply

This mesh size is best for the largest birds that are capturable in a mist net (large raptors, large ducks, etc.).

What are the differences between nylon and polyester mist nets?

Picking the right type of net material depends on the climate of your mist-netting site. Polyester is a bit softer and has a little less elasticity than nylon, meaning it performs better in wet and humid climates. Nylon can be just as durable as polyester, but is better for maintaining tension in dry, well-aerated sites. We have not conducted any long-term studies examining the durability of polyester and nylon nets side by side, and every researcher seems to have a different preference of material. If you have questions about what's appropriate for your particular site, please feel free to consult us for advice.

What are the differences between Japanese, Avinet, and Ecotone mist nets? 

  • Japanese mist nets are easily distinguished by the white fabric fixture connecting the loops with the netting, as well as white loops on the top trammel. These are standard black nylon 4-shelf nets (with a few exceptions).
  • Japanese nets are made with the same mesh netting material as Avinet mist nets.
  • Japanese nets have slightly thicker trammel lines than Avinet nets.
  • Japanese nets are only tethered on the top trammel line.
  • Avinet and Ecotone nets are tethered on both the top and bottom trammel lines.
  • Avinet nets have metal rings connecting to the loops, with black/blue shrink wrapped loops.
  • Many Ecotone nets have 5 shelves.
  • Ecotone nets are finished with a small metal piece on the loops.
  • Japanese nets tend to appear slightly longer than Avinet nets, about 3-6" on average. This is because Avinet nets are made under very taut tension, so when pulled to their maximum tension, their designated length measures exactly. Japanese nets measure out to their designated length when pulled to their "natural" tension (the kind of tension you would have them when erected for use), thus making them technically slightly longer than their designated length when stretched to the maximum.

If you aren't sure what to purchase, many of our customers purchase products from multiple brands and assess them based on the features they like from each. This may help clarify which brand serves your needs best.

Mist Net Terminology 101

There are a lot of strange words used to describe the features of mist nets. What do they all mean? 

Trammel: The cording that runs horizontally along the net to create the shelves or pockets.

Shelf: The baggy netting between trammels. This is the space birds fly into and are caught in.

Tether: The interval points at which trammel lines are tied along the length of the net to prevent netting from bunching towards either end of the net. 

Mesh: Mesh refers to the size of the opening in a given net. This is defined as one-half of the perimeter of one of the mesh squares of the net. Mesh size is best measured by stretching a mesh square, measuring one of the four sides, and multiplying by 2, which should equal the designated mesh size. Example: If one side of the mesh square reads as 18mm, you'd multiply this by 2 to get the mesh size of 36mm.

Denier: Denier is used in the textile industry to denote the fineness of a given thread (or yarn). It's defined as the weight in grams of 9,000 meters of yarn. Thus, 70 denier yarn weighs 70 grams per 9,000 meters. The lower the denier, the lighter and more fragile the yarn is.

Ply: Ply refers to the number of individual strands of yarn used in a twisted strand of netting. Generally, mist nets are either 2-ply (most typical) or 4-ply (if they are extra heavy mesh).

Below is a helpful diagram showing each component:

Storage and Care

Proper care of a mist net is crucial for its longevity. There two main factors that affect the life of mist nets over time: sun exposure and moisture. Moisture can be most destructive in the short term, while sun exposure is a longer-term concern. When taking down a net, it's important to make sure that the net is completely dry. For storage, bird researchers often use a plastic grocery bag or reuse the bags that Avinet brand nets come in. Bat researchers often use other storage methods because of USFWS protocols. When not completely dry, nets stored in plastic are at risk of developing mildew, which compromises the integrity of the mesh and trammel lines. Rodents will also quickly destroy mist nets, meaning it's important to store them in secure and dry areas.

Our Mist Net Offerings

Avinet mist nets are made at our facility in Portland, Maine, USA. Their durability, handmade quality, and coveted brand name make them a top choice and top seller. Avinet nets are standardized 4-shelf nets with a clean design that includes tethering on the top and bottom trammels and uses a metal ring to connect netting to the loops. Production times can vary by order and time of year, so if you have immediate needs, please contact us prior to placing an order to see what our options are.

 

30mm Mesh Size (PQ, TQ)

Product Code Material Denier/Ply Shelves Height Length(meters)
PQ06 Nylon 70/2 4 2.6m 6m
PQ09 Nylon 70/2 4 2.6m 9m
PQ12 Nylon 70/2 4 2.6m 12m
PQ18 Nylon 70/2 4 2.6m 18m
TQ06 Polyester 70/2 4 2.6m 6m
TQ09 Polyester 70/2 4 2.6m 9m
TQ12 Polyester 70/2 4 2.6m 12m
TQ18 Polyester 70/2 4 2.6m 18m

We also offer the following customs lengths by request: 1.5m, 1.8m, 2m, 2.6m, 3m, and 4m. Please send us a message for pricing!


38mm Mesh Size - TH  (For birds)

Product Code Material Denier/Ply Shelves Height Length 
TH02 Polyester 75/2 4 2.6m 2m
TH04 Polyester 75/2 4 2.6m 4m
TH06 Polyester 75/2 4 2.6m 6m
TH09 Polyester 75/2 4 2.6m 9m
TH12 Polyester 75/2 4 2.6m 12m
TH18 Polyester 75/2 4 2.6m 18m

 

38mm Mesh Size - TB (For bats, has a smaller shelf for less tangling and more tension)

Product Code Material Denier/Ply Shelves Height Length
TB02 Polyester 75/2 4 2.6m 2.6m
TB04 Polyester 75/2 4 2.6m 4m
TB06 Polyester 75/2 4 2.6m 6m
TB09 Polyester 75/2 4 2.6m 9m
TB12 Polyester 75/2 4 2.6m 12m
TB18 Polyester 75/2 4 2.6m 18m

We also offer the following customs lengths by request: 1.5m, 2m, 3m, 5m, 7m, 8m, 10m, 11m, 14m, and 15m.


38mm Mesh Size Special Use Nets

Product Code Specs Material Denier/Ply Shelves Height Length
THX06 Half net or puddle net, ideal for low flyers Polyester 75/2 2 1m 6m
THX12 Half net or puddle net, ideal for low flyers Polyester 75/2 2 1m 12m
DEMO-NET Use for educational demonstrations Polyester 75/2 2 .75m 1.8m
CAN-TH06 Canopy net for slingshot method net installation Polyester 75/2 6 6m 3m
CAN-TH12 Canopy net for slingshot method net installation Polyester 75/2 12 12m 3m

 

60mm Mesh Size - RT, CT

Product Code Material Denier/ply Shelves Height Length
RT06 Nylon 110/2 4 2.6m 6m
RT09 Nylon 110/2 4 2.6m 9m
RT12 Nylon 110/2 4 2.6m 12m
RT18 Nylon 110/2 4 2.6m 18m
CT06 Nylon 210/2 4 2.6m 6m
CT09 Nylon 210/2 4 2.6m 9m
CT12 Nylon 210/2 4 2.6m 12m
CT18 Nylon 210/2 4 2.6m 18m

 

100mm Mesh Size - HF, DF5 

Product Code Material Denier/Ply Shelves Height Length
HF06 Nylon 210/2 4 2.6m 6m
HF09 Nylon 210/2 4 2.6m 9m
HF12 Nylon 210/2 4 2.6m 12m
HF18 Nylon 210/2 4 2.6m 18m
DF506 Nylon 210/4 5 3m 6m
DF509 Nylon 210/4 5 3m 9m

 

Dho Gazas - Plain, rectangular framed nets with no shelves used in raptor capture. 

Product Code Material Mesh Size Denier/Ply Shelves Height Length
DG4X4 nylon 100mm 210/4 0 1.2m 1.2m
DG4x6 Nylon 100mm 210/4 0 1.2m 1.8m

 Custom Dho Gazas can be made to your specifications! Send us a message!

 

127mm Mesh - DV

Product Code Material Denier/Ply Shelves Height Length
DV06 Nylon 210/4 4 2.6m 6m
DV09 Nylon 210/4 4 2.6m 9m
DV12 Nylon 210/4 4 2.6m 12m
DV18 Nylon 210/4 4 2.6m 18m

 

Japanese mist nets are another great option. These are trusty nets historically sold by AFO. Japanese nets are workhorse nets and thus a staple of many banding stations worldwide, serving as the preference for MAPS stations among others.

Mesh Sizes, Materials, and Lengths available:

Product Code Mesh Size Material Denier/Ply Shelves Height Length
NET-GTX 24mm Nylon 70/2 4 2.6m 6m
NET-FTX 24mm Nylon 70/2 4 2.6m 12m
NET-JTX 30mm Nylon 70/2 4 2.6m 6m
NET-HTX 30mm Nylon 70/2 4 2.6m 12m
NET-DTX 36mm Nylon 70/2 4 2.6m 6m
NET-PTX 36mm Polyester 70/2 4 2.6m 6m
NET-ATX 36mm Nylon 70/2 4 2.6m 12m
NET-KTX 36mm Polyester 70/2 4 2.6m 12m
NET-CTX 61mm Nylon 110/2 4 2.6m 12m
NET-ETX 121mm Nylon 210/4 2 2.6m 12m

 

Ecotone mist nets are imported from Poland. Ecotone nets have a different mesh sizing system and many models have the option of 5 shelves instead of the typical 4. Monofilament nets are unique to Ecotone's line — these are an excellent option for both birds and bats alike. Ecotone produces extremely fine, delicate nets, so their products require extra care in handling and use. They are an ideal choice for the study of microbat species.

Monofilament Mesh sizes, materials, and lengths available:

Product code Mesh Size Material Denier/Ply Shelves Height Length
M14/03 28mm Monofilament .08mm 4 2.4m 3m
M14/06 28mm Monofilament .08mm 4 2.4m 6m
M14/09 28mm Monofilament .08mm 4 2.4m 9m
M14/12 28mm Monofilament .08mm 4 2.4m 12m
M14/15 28mm Monofilament .08mm 4 2.4m 15m
M14/18 28mm Monofilament .08mm 4 2.4m 18m
M20/03 40mm Monofilament .08mm 4 2.4m 3m
M20/06 40mm Monofilament .08mm 4 2.4m 6m
M20/09 40mm Monofilament .08mm 4 2.4m 9m
M20/12 40mm Monofilament .08mm 4 2.4m 12m
M20/15 40mm Monofilament .08mm 4 2.4m 15m
M20/18 40mm Monofilament .08mm 4 2.4m 18m

 

All other nets (subject to availability):

716/03 32mm Nylon 70/2 5 2.5m 3m
1016/06 32mm Nylon 110/2 5 2.5m 6m
716/07 32mm Nylon 70/2 5 2.5m 7m
716/07-P 32mm Polyester 70/2 5 2.5m 7m
716/09 32mm Nylon 70/2 5 2.5m 9m
716/09-P 32mm Polyester 70/2 5 2.5m 9m
1016/10 32mm Nylon 110/2 5 2.5m 10m
716/12-P 32mm Polyester 70/2 5 2.5m 12m
1016/12 32mm Nylon 110/2 5 2.5m 12m
1019/12 38mm Nylon 110/2 5 3m 12m
719/12 38mm Nylon 70/2 5 3m 18m
1019/18 38mm Nylon 110/2 5 3m 18m
2019/12 38mm Nylon 210/3 3 2.1m 12m
730/10 60mm Nylon 70/2 4 3.2m 10m
1030/12 60mm Nylon 110/2 4 3.2m 12m
730/12 60mm Nylon 70/2 4 3.2m 12m
730/15 60mm Nylon 70/2 4 3.2m 12m