Covering figs with organza mesh bags is a simple, inexpensive, and relatively quick way to protect figs from birds!
Drawstring pouches work wonders for saving figs from birds: Bagging figs is less complicated than installing a net over the tree.
We keep the fig trees dwarf or semi-dwarf size so we can reach all the fruits without a ladder (bonus benefit). We simply wrap each fig in a small, green, organza bag. Yes, that’s correct, we cover our figs individually. It’s worth it! Before you say, “That’s too much trouble!” or “I have better things to do.”, think about how nice it would be to know your figs will stay clean and luscious.
Netting a fig tree has proven more complicated, expensive, and time-consuming!
There are several issues with bird nets:
- Birds sneak under the net
- Birds poke through the holes of the net and eat the outermost figs
- Birds get caught in the net
- Snakes will also get caught in the net if the net is left too close to the ground
- It is difficult to apply and reposition a net without it getting stuck on a branch
Why we chose to abandon nets: Each summer, many moons ago in my Southern California garden, I would get out the hockey sticks and the bird netting in an attempt to save my figs.
What would follow would be a minimum of 30 minutes of unwrapping and maneuvering to position the netting over the two trees, just right. After getting one side perfect, I would discover the other side was too short.
Birds eventually found their way around bird nets from below: Birds are acrobats and netting is no barrier for Japanese beetles!
It’s no fun grabbing onto a fig in pure delight to quickly have the mood turn to despair as your finger runs against a slimy beetle or bird-pecked hole in the fruit. 
Birds and snakes get caught in netting too: It is difficult to free a bird, snake or animal from the entanglement of a bird net. We know, we’ve tried it. The bird netting must be extremely tight to reduce the risks of creatures getting caught. Even with a perfect application, snakes and other living things will squirm around and through the nylon webbing to the point that they cannot break free.
Advantages of a bird net: For extra tall trees that produce hundreds of figs, it might be easier to net the tree. If you require a ladder to harvest the fruit, you may decide netting the tree is better for you.
Because we keep our trees pruned so that the fruit is of reachable height, the organza bags are the best choice for protecting figs from birds.
It takes 3 seconds to wrap an organza bag around a fig: Let’s add another 5 seconds to find the next fig. If it takes 8 seconds to bag a fig, you might spend less than 15 minutes bagging 100 figs!
Organza bags have a high success rate for protecting figs: There’s nothing like a fresh fig! I covet the experience so much that I refuse to share any with the birds or beetles.
My family is thrilled. Last season (2022) we had over 70 figs on one tree and not a single fruit was sacrificed to the birds! 100% success! This year (2023) we have over 150 figs on a tree that is about as tall as me, with one branch that took off a few feet higher.
It’s also great to set the bagged figs on the counter until we’re good and ready for the first bite.
There is no special trick for bagging up your figs
How to use organza bags on figs: Simply cinch the sack freely over the fig and use the strings to close up the top just snug enough to keep it on, but not too tight around the stem. No need to tie a knot! This saves you time.
Organza bags hold up to strong winds: We have strong winds on our land and the bags have not blown off. Experiment and see what works for your environment.
The color of the organza bag might make a difference: We have found that green bags look like leaves, making them less “in your face”. The birds tend to bypass the green organza bags.
Keep in mind birds can be attracted to certain colors: Red seems to be the color birds tend to gravitate toward the most. However, some birds may be attracted to the colors of their own plumage such as goldfinches being drawn to the color yellow.
Others birds will go for the colors that represent their favorite ripe fruit or the flowers that they forage for tasty insects or seeds! Hummingbirds are attracted to bright pink, red and orange.
It’s easy to assess the ripeness of the fruit through a mesh bag: Organza bags are see-through. You can also give the covered fruit a gentle squeeze to see if it is at the desired ripeness.
Organza bags are reusable, just like bird netting, but much easier to remove and store: Organza bags will last for several seasons. They take up much less space than bird nets!
Bird nets will inevitably have branches and leaves stuck in the webbing at season’s end. It’s an annoying exercise to clean up and fold or roll a bird net for storage.
The most convenient sizes of organza bags to cover figs are 2.8″x3.6″(7x9cm) and 4×6 in / 10×15 cm. Lately I prefer the smaller size. Larger bags will work fine too. You may have a few bags at your home already from gifts or product packaging. Recycle / Reuse!
Here’s a look at the organza drawstring bags in the smaller size 2.8″ x 3.6″ (7 x 9cm):
And another example of the larger size 4″ x 6″ (10 x 15cm):
Both sizes work fine. I like the color green because it blends in well with the tree. However, you could have a lot of fun with different colored bags and create a festive fig!
However, my unproven theory is that a color that blends in might be less attractive to birds.
Organza bags cost less than bird netting: The cost for 100 bags is less than $9.00 USD on Amazon.
Outsmart those birds! Using organza bags to protect your figs from pecking birds is a proven, cost-effective method that saves time and frustration in the long run!
In addition, keeping your fig tree a manageable size, you will find it easier to grow more figs and save them from the birds at the same time. You might even trick a few Japanese beetles while you’re at it!
Figs are fabulous! Enjoy them this season. Good luck with your bird thwarting efforts and come back to see us real soon. Thank you!
If you’re interested in gardening in bags, I’ve got some great examples for you from our family: You might want to see how we use grow bags for sweet potatoes! We grew over 25 pounds in one bag using slips we started ourselves. A fun and easy crop to grow. Check it out!
We also use burlap bags and grow bags for traditional potatoes.
