Building Your DIY Bug Hotel

Choose a Sturdy Frame:

• Form the structure with old pallets, beer crates, or reclaimed untreated wood.
• Ensure the frame is stable, with a solid back and a roof to shield from rain.
• Avoid chemically treated or painted materials, as these can deter insects.

Design for Nooks & Crannies:

• Beneficial insects prefer snug spaces. Create holes between 2 mm and 10 mm in size for bees and bugs to crawl into.
• Incorporate hollow bamboo canes, small sticks, tree bark, pinecones, or drilled wood blocks with smooth hole edges.

Get Creative:

• Use what’s available: bricks with holes, straw, dried leaves, or even cardboard tubes.
• Arrange materials to ensure variety in size and texture for different insect preferences.

Avoid Plastic:

• Plastic retains moisture, leading to mould, making the hotel unsuitable for most insects.

Positioning Your Bug Hotel

For Bees:

• Mount the hotel in a sunny location about a metre off the ground. Bees love warmth, so full sun exposure is ideal.

For Other Insects:

• Place the hotel in a sheltered spot near foliage like hedges or flower beds. This provides cover and an abundant food source.

Additional Amenities for Your Insects

Bee Bath:

• Fill a shallow bowl or saucer with water.
• Add pebbles or stones above the water to give bees a safe landing spot.

Nectar Station:

• Mix four parts hot water with one part granulated sugar, then cool.
• Pour the mixture into a shallow dish to attract and feed bees and butterflies during summer.

Why Build a Bug Hotel?

• Support Pollination: Attract solitary bees and pollinators to help your plants thrive.
• Natural Pest Control: Beneficial insects like ladybirds and lacewings help keep aphids and other pests in check.
• Educational Fun: Observe and learn about the diverse insect species visiting your garden.

A bug hotel boosts your garden’s health and adds a unique, eco-friendly feature to your outdoor space. Let your creativity run wild, and enjoy the buzz of life it brings!