Why Use Kootenay Covers?

Most commercial cherries, even "organic" cherries, are sprayed over and over with poisons to prevent worms. That is changing, thanks to a new invention called Kootenay Covers. This revolutionary method creates a physical barrier to the cherry worm, preventing infection without sprays or poisons of any kind. As an added benefit, it also protects the fruit from birds, wasps and other pests.

Even people who have only one cherry tree either have to spray often or harvest their fruit long before it is ripe, when the worms are still small enough not to be too noticeable. If the cherries are left to ripen on the tree without spraying, by the time they should be large and sweet, most of them are instead pre-digested by the worms inside.

The idea for Kootenay Covers is simple - a large net bag that goes over the tree before the first flies emerge and stays on till the fruit is harvested. The holes are just small enough to keep out the flies, but large enough to let in the sun and light rain. Large raindrops are broken into a mist, preventing heavy rain damage; some mists through the net and the rest runs down to the drip line.

The netting is highly UV resistant and will last for many years. Nets which have been used four seasons still look new except for a few leaves and stains. I have also used mine on an apple tree after the net came off the cherry tree to keep turkeys and kids out. The netting is still in excellent shape.

If you grow cherries that you want to protect from worms, but you don't want to use spray or poison, please contact the store nearest you.   For more information call (250) 353-2264, email mroberts@kootenaycovers.com or contact

Marilyn Robert
Box 989
Kaslo BC Canada V0G 1M0

This page was first created January 10, 2006 by Marilyn Roberts

Last updated February 6, 2010