How to make an insect hotel

Stuff you’ll need:

The quick way

• Hollow plant stems (eg bamboo canes)
• Twigs
• String

The long way

• Small logs or untreated timber
• Hallow plant stems (eg bamboo canes)
• Twigs and sticks
• Woodsaw
• Nails and hammer or screwdriver and wood screws
• Drill and 5mm wood bit

This resource show you how to make a home bees (and other insects) on your patch. Bees are brilliant fun to watch buzzing around the garden and they are important pollinators of flowers. Sadly many species of bee are in decline so making a bee box is a simple way you can help.

One way to increase the comfort of your patch for insects is to build them an  insect hotel using natural materials. This activity can be done at any time of year and will provide shelter for insects such as butterflies, bugs and bees.

Some like cool, damp conditions, while others prefer the sun. To cater for as many of them as possible, pick a spot where some of it will catch the sun, but the rest will be in the shade (for example, under a tree or near a hedge). By providing the right habitats, we can greatly increase the number of beneficial insects in the garden.

For an alternative method, watch this great video by The Wildlife Trusts and Wild Watch.