In recent years, a protected wētā pest has been causing crop losses worth thousands of dollars for vineyards in the Awatere Valley of Marlborough, New Zealand. 

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The Beta Guard is a well thought out, simple solution to this wētā issue. Similar to existing solutions, the smooth, extruded outer surface is too slippery for the insects to climb. This guard, however, minimises application time with a simple, inbuilt snap-fit. The combination of this snap-fit with an inbuilt living hinge means that the Beta Guard can be applied in a single, swift movement. 

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The Beta Guard delivers on each of its key requirements including durability, sustainability, low cost and function. It is expected to last at least twice as long as current solutions without maintenance. Application time is halved, significantly reducing labour costs. The Beta Guard meets sustainability requirements through carbon storage and recycled material utilisation.