Kids Fun – Make a Bug Hotel
- Written by
- Deepika Sulekh
It’s time to celebrate our garden helpers. Insects help our plants by fighting pests and pollinating crops, and are a fundamental part of any vegetable or fruit garden. This one’s a fun project to help you connect with the environment whilst learning about insects – and helping out in the garden! The bug hotel is destined to help garden insects thrive in your backyard sanctuary, providing them with a cosy shelter year-round.
What you’ll need:
There’s no one way to build a bug hotel, so we recommend you look around for things you can find in your backyard or around the house.
For example:
- Twigs and sticks
- Broken crockery
- Empty toilet paper rolls
- Corrugated cardboard
- Bamboo
- Bricks
- Wood cuttings
- Natural garden bedding: pinecones, dry leaves/grass, moss, bark, etc
- Remember, the bugs won’t mind if it’s not perfect!
How to:
- Start with a shelter – you can use something like an old crate, small wooden drawer, shoe box, or even make your own.
- Section your box with wood, bricks or cardboard to create ‘rooms’. Fasten these with nails or glue.
- Fill in the gaps with any natural goodies you can find. Try using a variety of materials to create different nooks and crannies. Feel free to design your hotel in anyway that suits your garden.
- Add a ‘vacancy’ sign for fun!
- Watch the guests check-in!
Tip:
Make sure you place your hotelin a warm, sheltered spot in yourgarden.