An insect hotel is a structure that is specially designed to provide shelter and nesting places for insects. It is often used in gardens, parks or natural areas to support biodiversity. Here is more information about insect hotels:
Purpose of an insect hotel
• Supporting biodiversity: Insect hotels help beneficial insect species such as bees, ladybirds, lacewings and earwigs to survive, especially in urban or agricultural areas where natural shelters are scarce.
• Pollination: Solitary bees, which often use insect hotels, play an important role in pollinating flowers and crops.
• Pest control: Some insects, such as ladybirds and earwigs, eat pest insects such as aphids, which can help to naturally maintain plants.
Construction of an insect hotel
An insect hotel consists of several compartments, each suitable for different types of insects. Commonly used materials include:
• Wooden blocks with holes drilled into them: For solitary bees, such as the mason bee.
• Hollow stems: Bamboo or reed for small bee species.
• Pine cones or straw: For ladybugs and earwigs.
• Bark and twigs: For spiders and other small insects.
• Loam or clay: For bees that seal their nests with mud.