BUG HOUSES DIY

I think this Bug Mansion is Fantastic,

photo source

it has room for everyone...

 

The basic framework is made of 5 wooden pallets.

to ensure the structure is stable,  secure each pallet to the one below.

 Use recycled or reclaimed, even broken materials.

 Place the bottom pallet upside down, to create larger openings at the ends, (see photo above)
 which can be used for a hedgehog house.

Filling the gaps with...

Dead wood

Dead wood is essential for the larvae of wood-boring beetles, such as the stag beetle.

It also supports many fungi, which help break down the woody material.

Crevices under the bark hold centipedes and woodlice.

Holes for solitary bees

Hollow stems, such as old bamboo canes, or different sized holes drilled into blocks of wood, make good nest sites for bees.  

You place bambo canes in a length of plastic drainpipe or a section from a plastic drinks bottle.

Straw and hay

This provides many opportunities for invertebrates to burrow in and find safe hibernation sites.

Dry leaves

More homes for a variety of invertebrates; this mimics the litter on the forest floor.

Loose bark

Beetles, centipedes, spiders and woodlice all lurk beneath the decaying wood and bark. (YUK!)

Nectar-producing plants

Why not plant some nectar-rich flowers around your habitat.

These provide essential food for butterflies, bees and many other flying insects.

Crevices

Many garden invertebrates need a safe place to hibernate in through the winter, and cracks and crevices in the mansion are ideal.

 

Stumpery

Will attract beatles and toads.

 

What you can attract to your bug hotel...

 

Hedgehog house

Hedgehogs need a secure place to build their nests in;
a wooden box under a pile of sticks and debris in a sheltered corner is ideal.

Add dry leaves inside as bedding.

Toad hole

Although frogs and toads need a pond to breed in, they can spend most of the year out of water.

Stone and tiles provide the cool damp conditions they need.

The centre of the mansion will provide a frost-free place during the winter.

Lacewing homes

Lacewings and their larvae eat a large numbers of aphids, as well as other garden pests.

You can make a home for lacewings by rolling up a piece of corrugated cardboard and putting it in a waterproof cylinder, such as an old lemonade bottle.

Ladybirds

Ladybirds and their larvae are Olympian aphid munchers.

The adults hibernate over winter; they need dry sticks or leaves to hide in.

You can attract ladybirds to your garden with Insect Lore's Ladybird Attractant

or watch them grow with Insect Lore's Adalia Box Kit

Bumblebees

Every spring, queen bumblebees search for a site to build a nest and found a new colony.

An upturned flowerpot in a warm sheltered place is ideal.

 

Butterflies

Plant an assortment of necter rich flowers to attract an aray of butterflies to your garden.

You can find list of plants to encourage caterpillars & butterflies to live and bread in your garden HERE
this site also has a list so you can identify the butterflies in your garden HERE

OR you can watch cterpillars change into butterflies befroe your eyes
with a INSECT LORE BUTTERFLY GARDEN KIT

 

Birds

Place different types of feeders and boxes around your garden to attract all species.

You can also just make smaller individual homes
for the creepy crawlies that don't make you go YUK!

Vonnie

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