Nesting aid for bees + Co.
It’s that easy to build an insect hotel
© magnetix / Shutterstock
Would you like to build an insect hotel yourself? A good idea, because bees and other insects are finding it increasingly difficult to nest and hibernate. We’ll show you how!
What is an insect hotel?
An insect hotel is a retreat for bees and other beneficial insects in which they nest and overwinter be able. The hotel consists of natural or near-natural materials and offers the hard-working helpers a retreat in protected corners and holes.
Why do bees and co. need a hotel?
It is becoming increasingly difficult for insects to find shelter to hibernate or nest after an insect summer. This is mainly because nowadays everything is getting neater and more stylish. This is why wild bees in particular miss wild nature, little corners to retreat to be able.
The trends in agriculture and also in private garden design are increasingly moving in the direction of perfectionism. Monocultures, smoothly mowed meadows and few wild plants – all that makes the life difficult for insects and is one of the reasons for bee deaths.
Build an insect hotel yourself: What do I need?
If you want to help wild bees and other insects by building them a hotel, you don’t need much for it. Most You can even find materials and nesting aids in nature or in the garden.
Typical materials would be for example:
- Pieces of old tree trunks (with holes you make with a drill)
- bamboo sticks
- reeds
- pinecone
- Bricks with cavities
- Old flower pots
- wood wool
- collected sticks
- roofing felt
- layered stones
- Clay
Depending on how big and, above all, how chic you want the insect house to be, you can also buy materials for the housing at the hardware store. Here are enough simple wooden boards made of plywood.
Building instructions: How do I build an insect hotel?
For example, a typical bee hotel would be a square box (with a back wall) divided into different compartments filled with sticks, rocks, pine cones, and more. Of course, you can also give your hotel a roof to make it look even more like a house.
So that the insects don’t get through predators (e.g. garden birds) are threatened, you should close the front of the insect hotel with rabbit wire or a tight mesh fence. This is how bees have access and are protected in their retreat.
© Christine Kuchem / Shutterstock
You can find more illustrated building instructions for simple insect hotels at, for example the NABU homepage.
By the way: If you don’t enjoy letting your creativity run free, you can also find one in stores or on the Internet finished kit (with blueprint) for an insect hotel.
Where is the best place to set up the insect hotel?
the perfect location for an insect hotel is in a dry, sunny place so that residents can be comfortable and have a good life. It would be ideal if in the Sew a wild meadow or to find a wild flower bed where the insects can find food. Whether you place the insect hotel or hang it up (e.g. on a tree) is up to you.
More practical tips and tricks for the balcony and garden you can find it on our Pinterest board.