If you’re looking for a budget DIY garden project that will help to make your outdoor space more wildlife friendly as well as entertaining the kids for a few hours, why not build a bug hotel?
Why build a bug hotel?
Insects, spiders and mini beasts need:
- a safe places to hide from predators
- somewhere to shelter
- a place to raise their young
- somewhere to safely overwinter
By offering these beneficial insects, especially pollinators, a safe space to live will encourage biodiversity, which basically means it will really help the ecological balance in your garden.
What do you need?
Bug hotels can be any size, but the frame should be made from untreated wood and have a solid roof, sides and back to remain waterproof. Avoid using a plastic container or putting any plastic inside, as it encourages mold as moisture condenses and becomes trapped. Which isn’t great for the insects, and won’t smell great in your garden either.
You can also use untreated palettes or bricks for the main structure.
Next, you’ll need to find as many natural materials or objects that you can from your garden, the woods, or the park. This could include:
- Dry leaves
- Dead grass
- Bark pieces
- Shells
- Pine cones
- Straw
- Twigs
- Pine needles
- Bamboo canes
The more materials you use, the more insects you will attract.
Building a bug hotel
Once you’ve gathered all of your materials, begin to add then to your hotel in layers. Pet bedding or wood shavings can be used to fill the gaps, (which also makes it warm and cosy for the insects.)
Knit pine cones together before you put them in, as this helps them stay in position and will attract ladybirds who love to hide in them.
As each layer is added, cover with a lightweight shelf; any lightweight wood, fence panelling or heavy-duty cardboard will do. Press down lightly as each layer is added.
Also add larger branches to the twig layers as insects will happily break them down.
When adding twig layers, always criss-cross them to ensure that the layer is stable. Again, pet bedding, wood shavings or bark can be used to plug large gaps.
A bug hotel can be built at any time of the year, but Autumn is a particularly good time as there are plenty of natural materials available and insects are looking for warm places to get themselves based over the colder period..
Think about where your bug hotel will go. Insects like to be warm, so a south-facing wall in dappled sunlight or light shade is ideal.
Move your bug hotel into a cool, dry area over winter, this will protect the inhabitants from severe wind and rain, and always change the materials every two years. Leave the old materials in a shady, private area of the garden to allow the insects to escape.
Bug hotel kits
Can’t be bothered to make your own? Try buying a personalised bug hotel or a kit that your little ones can paint themselves.
When it comes to anything to do with gardens and wildlife, Dina is your woman. From growing your own veg to making your garden the perfect haven for UK wildlife, follow Dina’s top tips.
