Insect Hotels
Insects play a vital role in the health of many ecosystems. Insects are pollinators and a food source for other animals. They also deliver nutrients to soil and eat pests that may be harmful to plants. One way to support local insects is to build them a place to stay. Often called a bug or insect hotel, this diy project is a great way to help nature and teach your family about the importance of insects.
Many insects use hollow, wooden places to lay eggs and grow their colonies. Insects also use wood as a food source. This makes bug hotels the ideal habitat for any insect species that nests in the hollows of wood. An example of a bug hotel is pictured below:
Materials needed:
Large shallow wooden container (must be hard sided)
Power drill
Twigs
Tree bark
Pine cones
Bamboo stems
Dry leaves
Dried plants and grasses
Mosses and lichens
Chicken wire (optional)
Staple Gun (optional)
Gathering materials:
Most of these materials can be located in your own backyard, local park, or hiking trail. Turn gathering these materials into a fun activity by turning it into a scavenger hunt for you and your family. Bamboo stems are naturally hollow. However, if you cannot find any, look for thicker sticks that you can drill holes into.
Layering materials:
Much like stacking a grocery cart, you want to be mindful of how you arrange your insect hotel. Dense, heavy materials should go on the bottom. This includes bamboo stems and large sticks. Fragile items that are more likely to be squished should go on the top (grasses, leaves, pinecones, etc).
If you want to secure your materials in their container to prevent them from falling out, we recommend covering the front of your container with chicken wire after your materials have been layered. Secure the chicken wire in place with a staple gun.
Which insects will use this hotel?
The type of insect you find in your bug hotel will depend on the type of materials you use. Carpenter bees and ants are more likely to nest in hollowed out materials like bamboo. On the other hand, ladybugs prefer taking shelter under smaller twigs and sticks. Pill bugs are not insects but also enjoy living in damp or rotting wood.
