Regular scouting, biological-control planning, greenhouse insect screening, pest exclusion, and airflow tradeoffs.
Protected Cultivation
Insect Exclusion Screening & Airflow Tradeoffs
Screens can reduce pest entry, but finer screening also adds resistance to airflow. Exclusion must therefore be designed together with ventilation capacity, pressure, maintenance, and pest size.
Key concepts
- Screen aperture determines which pests can be excluded
- Finer mesh generally creates more airflow resistance
- Dirty screens progressively reduce airflow
- Doors, vents, tears, and service openings can defeat otherwise good screening
What to measure or observe
- Inspect screens for tears and blocked areas
- Compare vent performance before and after screen installation
- Record temperature rise during peak ventilation demand
- Check door and intake pathways for bypass entry
Common mistakes
- Selecting the finest mesh without evaluating ventilation penalty
- Installing screens but leaving unscreened bypass routes
- Failing to clean screens
- Assuming screening eliminates the need for scouting
Visuals this lesson still needs
- Mesh-size versus airflow concept chart
- Screened vent cross section
- Pest bypass map
- Screen maintenance checklist
Evidence & further reading
Sources connected to this lesson
These references support specific biological, diagnostic, environmental, or process concepts used in this lesson. They are not a substitute for crop-specific testing or local regulatory guidance.Comprehensive greenhouse IPM framework and pest-management concepts for protected production systems.