Bug hotel

How to Build a Bug Hotel

A bug hotel, also known as a habitat hotel or insect house, is a man-made structure that provides a home for beneficial insects. These little creatures are essential for gardens and yards, as they help with pollination, soil health, and pest control.

Building a bug hotel is a fun DIY project that the whole family can enjoy. Plus, it’s a great way to recycle materials that would otherwise end up in the landfill. Read on to learn how to build your own bug hotel.

Two small boys holding bug and insect hotels in a garden.
Kids holding bug and insect hotels

Choose your location

When choosing a location for your bug hotel, make sure to choose an area that gets both sun and shade during the day. Insects need both warm and cool spots to regulate their body temperature. They also need shelter from wind and rain. A south-facing wall is an ideal spot for a bug hotel.

Gather your materials

For this project, you’ll need some recycled materials like egg cartons, toilet paper rolls, wood scraps, straw, pinecones, and leaves. You can also use new materials like bricks or stones. Just make sure that whatever you use is safe for insects and won’t leach chemicals into the soil.

Build your foundation

Using bricks or stones, build a foundation for your bug hotel about four inches tall. This will keep the structure from getting wet and soggy in the event of heavy rain or flooding.

Assemble your materials

Start with the larger pieces like logs or bricks, adding smaller items like pinecones and leaves as you go. Make sure to include plenty of nooks and crannies for insects to hide in.

Bug hotel in winter in a cottage garden.
Bug hotel

When you’re finished assembling thebug hotel, give it a good spray with water to provide moisture for the insects that will be making their home there.

Conclusion

That’s all there is to it. With just a few recycled materials and some elbow grease, you can build a bug hotel that will provide a home for beneficial insects in your garden or yard.

Be sure to check back every few weeks to see who’s moved in.