How much will a windowscreen decrease my light?

I grow indoors but I have a good chunk of the day when I have some privacy and can move the plants outdoors. I hardened them up first and they absolutely love that sun - at twice the growth I see in my veg box.

I live on a patch of land where all the refugee animals that have been pushed out by development have come to live. I'm all about having friendly furry neighbors, but I've found that we all think my plants are delicious.

I have a guard that will keep out squirrels, but chipmunks are still getting in there, so I'm started using windowscreen as a temporary extra meausure. Can one of you experienced outdoor growers tell me if the windowscreen drastically decreases my light levels? I like the peace of mind of knowing that nothing is getting at my plant, but if it is really at the expense of light I'll find a better option.

IMHO window screen will not affect your plants at all. It seems to me that animals that want in will be able to eat right through the screen. How about small guage chicken wire or the quarter inch grid-wire mesh that is used for making rabbit enclosures?

By the way, what are you growing? Hope it turns out well for ya!

Thanks for the quick reply killyourego (+rep) - I'll spring for the chicken wire.

I'm growing a mystery indica plant - its a CH9 freebie from attitude a month ago. I used labels that melted when they got wet (I really wasn't thinking ahead on that one). Could possibly be Cluster.

I'm really happy with how it's going - definitely my best attempt yet, although I still have a lot of work to do on my setup: I'm taking clones and will likely do a grow log starting at that point.

Chicken wire is the way to go. I put plants into growbags at about 2weeks old an make a cage of chicken wire about a foot round and a foot high and stake it over them. Once the plant hits the cage I remove it, it's big enough at that point that it usually doesn't get touched. Also some cayenne pepper,garlic or any citrus product spread around the ground works as a pest deterant, just don't get any of it directly on your plants.