Build a wētā motel
Introduction
There is nothing better than a motel for a wētā.Did you know?
- There are over 70 species of wētā, 16 of which are classified by scientists as ‘at risk’
- Giant wētā are one of the largest insects in the world, and can weigh more than a mouse!
- You won’t find giant wētā in your garden though – they're only on off-shore islands and protected areas.
Wētā are one of New Zealand’s most recognisable insects and can be found in a range of habitats all over the country.
As they only come out at night, wētā spend their days lazing inside their ‘burrows’, inside rotting logs, under rocks, and occasionally in gumboots! Some burrows provide more protection than others, which is important as animals such as rats, cats, birds, and hedgehogs will all eat a sleeping weta.
Building a wētā motel protects the native insects and provides a dry place for them to snooze the day away.
What you will need
- A small log (willow or aged pine is ideal)
- A drill (with a bit sized 10 – 18mm)
- A hammer
- Some nails
- A saw
- A ‘roof’ (this could be corrugated iron, corflute, or anything you have around home to keep the water out!)
Steps
Steps to building your wētā motel
Image: Cameron Hayes | DOC
- Saw your small log in half length-ways.
- Chisel out a gallery from one side of the log’s interior. This will be your motel room!
- Drill a hole from the room to the outside of the log. This is your entranceway.
- Nail or bind the log back together, and then nail on your roof.
Tino pai!
All built, now go find a good spot for it. You may have wētā in your backyard already. This will help you choose a motel location and see what kinds of wētā are present.
Put your motel about eye level – try hanging it or tying it to a tree.
You are making a difference by keeping these native critters out of harm's way!