BEFORE
AFTER
Our garden and its creatures are treasured and cherished by our bug-loving community, and a bug hotel has always been a staple in our outdoor area. This specially built structure has always been a beloved garden feature, with children frequently checking in new guests, observing who is there at the moment, and thinking about ways to make the stay of our bugs more comfortable and appealing.
When our garden underwent changes to become a native habitat-friendly space, we decided to renovate our bug hotel by extending its size and moving it to a different location.
The drafts
There was a lot of planning and discussion with the children, who created their own representations of what they thought it should look like. We combined these ideas with research on bugs’ habitat preferences and selected the best features from the children’s drafts to come up with a plan.
Putting it together
A parent who is a builder joined the project, donating most of the construction materials and providing the expertise to create a sturdy, concrete-based hotel. Over a few days, the children helped lay the concrete, move the blocks, assemble the nooks, and decorate the building. With lots of teamwork and cooperative spirit, we extended and upgraded our bug hotel, elevating its status to 5 stars!
How to Build Your Own Bug Hotel:
1-Gather Materials:
Collect natural materials like twigs, leaves, pine cones, bamboo, and wood. You can also use recycled materials like old bricks and tiles.
2-Choose a Location:
Find a quiet, sheltered spot in your garden that’s safe from strong winds and heavy rain.
3-Create a Frame:
Build a sturdy frame using wood or an old box. Ensure it has compartments to hold different materials.
4-Assemble Nooks:
Fill the compartments with your collected materials, creating cozy nooks for various insects. Different bugs prefer different materials, so variety is key!