Make an insect hotel

Bloodsucker on Leaf NottsWT cpt John Perring

John Perring

Make an insect hotel

An invitation for insects

Common Blue Butterfly Notts WT cpt Jon Hawkins

Encouraging invertebrates into your garden is beneficial, as they help to attract birds, pollinate flowers, and provide a natural pest control.

There is often a lack of suitable habitats for these species, so creating an insect hotel is a great way to attract wildlife to your garden.

Standard insect hotel

You will need:

  • Hollow plant stems (like bamboo canes)

  • Twigs and sticks

  • String

What to do:

  1. Collect handfuls of stems, twigs and sticks

  2. Tie the bundles quite tightly in two places

  3. Post into a hedge / bush or hang in a sheltered place

Deluxe insect hotel

You will need:

  • Small logs or untreated timber

  • Hollow plant stems (like bamboo canes)

  • Twigs and sticks

  • String

  • Tools:
    woodsaw / nails & hammer or screwdriver & woodscrews / drill & 5mm woodbit

What to do:

  • Small logs or untreated timber

  • Hollow plant stems (like bamboo canes)

  • Twigs and sticks

  • String

  • Tools:
    woodsaw / nails & hammer or screwdriver & woodscrews / drill & 5mm woodbit

Insect hotel diagram

So get outside and get creative!
You never know what might come to live in your creation.