Friends of Pittville worked with Men in Sheds to build two bug hotels for the Sensory Garden, and they’ve already become lively homes for insects. Creating one at home is simple and can provide safe nesting spaces for insects that are not only charming to observe but also incredibly helpful to the garden. Solitary bees, which are highly efficient pollinators, make use of hollow tubes and drilled logs. Ladybirds and lacewings contribute natural pest control by feeding on aphids, and beetles help with decomposition, enriching the soil. By assembling materials that mimic natural crevices, stems, and sheltered pockets, we can create thriving microhabitats that encourage more insect life.
To build your own, start with a wooden crate, box or old drawer as the frame. Fill it with a mix of natural materials such as bamboo canes or hollow stems, logs with drilled holes, pinecones, bark, twigs, straw, leaves or rolled cardboard. The aim is to create lots of small shelters and tubes. You don’t need many tools, just a drill or secateurs if you have them. Once the materials are packed tightly enough to stay in place, add a waterproof top such as a roof tile or piece of slate to protect the interior.
Choose a sunny, sheltered position, ideally facing south or southeast, and raise the hotel slightly off the ground. Stability is important, so put it somewhere it won’t need moving. Through the warmer months, bees may begin nesting in the tubes, while ladybirds and lacewings look for cosy spots later in the year. During winter the structure becomes a refuge for hibernating insects, so avoid disturbing it. A light refresh in late winter —removing anything that has become mouldy — is usually all the maintenance required.
You can make your bug hotel an attractive feature by adding a small sign, painting the frame with non‑toxic colours or planting nectar‑rich flowers such as lavender or thyme nearby to draw in pollinators. With a few simple materials and a little imagination, your own bug hotel will soon become a welcoming refuge for the insects that keep your garden thriving.
Author: Louise Allerton