Category Archives: Insects

Garden, Insects

WETA MOTELS

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Simulated Habitat Refuges – Weta Motels

Weta Motel CWC

Using these specially hollowed-out untreated pine blocks called ‘weta motels’ it is possible to simulate the cavities found in mature trees that are used by weta and other creepy crawlies.

It will take many years for the newly-planted trees to become old enough to develop these cavities, so by using these specially made weta motels available from Creative Woodcraft we are accelerating the successional process.

Cave or tree weta colonise the motels as well as other groups such as endemic spiders, leaf-vein slugs and pseudoscorpions, some of which breed in the refuges. They have a hole that is only just big enough to let weta in, but too small for its predators – mice, rats, possums, hedgehogs, etc.

Other insects and invertebrates also use motels including leaf-vein slugs, spiders and beetles.

Weta motels are great for kids, schools, community plantings, ecological restoration projects, etc. Motels can be monitored over time to watch how motel occupation changes.

Visit our website to view our full range of products

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Bats, Bees, Birds, Butterflies, Garden, Insects

NATURALLY PASSIONATE & WANTING TO MAKE CHANGE

NATURALLY PASSIONATE & WANTING TO MAKE CHANGE
By Ian Morton  Creative Woodcraft HQ

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With a deep passion for gardening, nature and the environment at large – is it any wonder I combined my craftsman skills to create a job I love?

Every day, ideas and products are born at Creative Woodcraft HQ – as my wife and I continually look for ways to make change and help home gardeners nurture native wildlife throughout New Zealand.

It all started as a side-line hobby in 2010, soon became a full-time commitment. Before I knew it the demand for high quality and hand crafted garden products took off and I could see an important trend unraveling.

As the spotlight continues to shine on the importance of wildlife protection and conservation, significant projects such as the Halo Project are great reminders of working together for a mutual cause.

The Halo Project, spearheaded by the Morgan Family Foundation, is a journey we believe in wholeheartedly and while their goal is to establish Wellington as the real “native wildlife capital of New Zealand” – we see no reason why the entire country can’t do their bit and play their part in the development too.

Ultimately, New Zealand has a life-changing opportunity to participate and here at Creative Woodcraft – we want to be part of that and offer products and solutions to help Wellington achieve their Halo goal.

Based in South Canterbury, we are a family owned and operated business with the strong aim to provide a wide range of expertly constructed wildlife and garden products.

Since our very humble beginnings, Creative Woodcraft has grown in to one of the country’s largest specialist supplier of wildlife habitat, bird and garden related products and offer by far the widest range of nesting boxes, bird feeders and shelters to accommodate nature’s finest.

With a honorable team of committed experts constantly aiding our product design and endorsing what we stand for – Creative Woodcraft pledges to continue supporting native wildlife and has every desire to maintain further education among our existing and potential customer base.

Tui Feeder finishing touchesThe Halo Project is a great step forward to achieving a better environment for generations to follow and we are only too proud to continue pushing the key messages and products to ensure the protection of native birds and wildlife.

Its a pleasure to be a small part of supporting the Halo Project.

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Bees, Birds, Butterflies, Garden, Insects

Bird Tables Buying Guide

Bird tables buying guide

A bird table can be an attractive addition to your garden and a welcome source of food for birds.

A bird table is suitable for year-round feeding

Bird tables

 

Bird Feeder - Creative Woodcraft NZ

  • All Creative Woodcraft’s bird tables are made from locally sourced New Zealand timbers. Aesthetics aside, it is most important that the bird table is practical – a basic platform with edges and drainage channels with or without a roof is by far the best. A bird table does not need to be complicated – the birds are only interested in a good supply of food in a safe, sheltered place.
  • Check there are no sharp edges, which could endanger birds’ feet, and that there are no moving or ‘scissoring’ joints, in which a bird may be trapped.
  • Avoid bird tables with a nest box in the roof – encouraging birds to feed right by an active nest is not wise.
  • ‘Rustic’ thatched bird tables can quickly go bald in spring as the birds take the thatch to build their nests.
  • Some bird tables incorporate a bird bath in the table top. These can act as a great way to encourage nectar feeding birds by using sugar water.
  • For ground-feeding birds, use a low-level table rather than place food directly on the ground. Legs in each corner should hold the table around 10 cm off the ground to allow the grass to ‘breathe’, and it should be moved fractionally each time you put out food. This prevents both the build-up of droppings in one part of the garden and damage to your lawn.Bird Feeder - Wheelbarrow 1-700x700

 

Siting a bird table

  • A quiet location with a good view from the house is normally the best place for a bird table. This allows you to enjoy observing the garden birds while they feed with little disturbance.
  • Choose a site sheltered from extremes of weather, but where the birds have a good all-round view, so they can see that they are safe from predators while they feed.covered_bird_seed_feeder_1-700x700
  • The table should be safely away from cat ambush sites. A small bush or a tree about two metres from the table gives the birds somewhere safe to perch while they look to see if it is safe to feed, to ‘queue up’ for a place on the table, and to dash to if disturbed. It may take a few days before you see any birds on a new bird table.
  • Once the birds discover the food and convince themselves it is safe, they should visit regularly.

Food for a bird table

A bird table is suitable for offering most foods to garden birds. Any seeds and seed mixes can be placed on a bird table, as can fruit, suet nibbles, bird cake and kitchen scraps. Do not, however, offer peanuts in this way, unless they have been chopped to granule size.

Hygiene and maintenance

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  • Clean your bird table regularly and never allow old food to accumulate. Dirty tables can harbor dangerous bacteria left by sick birds and start an outbreak of disease.
  • Brush off all debris every time you put out fresh food, and scrub the table with a mild disinfectant solution or use a specially designed spray regularly: more frequently if sick birds visit.
  • Move the bird table from time to time to stop the accumulation of droppings underneath.
  • Some bird diseases can be transmitted to people. Although the risk is small, it is worth taking sensible hygienic precautions, such as wearing gloves when cleaning the table and avoiding breathing in the dust from it. Always wash your hands immediately after you have finished, and wash any soiled clothing in a normal wash.
  • Some of the plastic style imported bird store bought flimsy bird feeders have a tendency to turn perish and crack in our New Zealand conditions. A wooden bird feeder is a natural material and one that the birds feel comfortable with.

“Are you tired of your plastic imported store-bought flimsy Bird Feeders cracking all the time!…. Consider a superior quality hand-crafted wooden “NZ Made” Bird Feeder. Take a look at our full range of products. www.creativewoodcraft.co.nz ”Treat yourself and the birds!”

What else can I do to help birds and wildlife?

  • If you enjoy watching birds, consider providing a variety of feeding stations to attract more species. Hanging feeders with bird cake, seed or peanuts may attract different species to add variety and interest to your garden.IMG_3434-blog.jpg
  • A bird bath can be a vital source of water for drinking and bathing, in both hot and cold weather.
  • A wildlife pond will attract lots of beneficial insects, invertebrates to your garden.

Range of NZ Made Quality Bird Feeder

Bees, Garden, Insects

Garden Homes For Wildlife – Fantastic addition to your garden!

Garden Homes…. Available!

Our Unique hand-crafted Garden Homes  from Creative Woodcraft offer another fine example of creative thinking  to create a great feature for the garden and a home  for wildlife!

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These truly fantastic and practical habitats provide shelter for garden wildlife, and is sure to be a great talking point with friends and family!

Each Garden Home is unique and individually hand-crafted by Creative Woodcraft in NZ using NZ grown materials. Check out our full range of products designed to “Bring people closer to nature” They make great gifts for all and have fantastic educational value!!

Garden Home for wildlife

 

 

 

 

Ladybirds
Garden, Insects

providing a home for beneficial insects

When an infestation of aphids, mealy bugs or other common garden pest appears in our gardens it is tempting to look for a quick fix such as a chemical spray.

But a better solution is to work towards a balance where nature is doing most of the work for us. Attracting beneficial insects is a major part of creating a balanced ecosystem in our gardens that does not require expensive and sometimes toxic chemicals.

A healthy garden is good for conservation because it can help increase numbers of native insects, lizards and birds.

“The main things to remember are to provide places for insects to live”

Buy a Insect Bug Hotel for your Garden from Creative Woodcraft

insect_bug_hotel_4 Insect Hotel Creative Woodcraft