Bug Hotels?

[zeezeezed]

Over the Christmas I have found myself looking in a few garden centres I keep seeing bug hotels and nesting boxes for sale ....

They seem fairly simple and could be easy to make ..... well for my other half to make, but my question is, do bugs really use these? Or would I be better off doing something else on the allotment? If I bought/made one, are any designs better than others?

Ive got some flowers to grow in the summer to attract them, but Id like to keep the little critters safe too so they dont all go buzzing off Im new to gardening but I do realise their importance

[binley100]

I have a bug hotel made out of old pallets and odds and ends.....as to what may be living in there I haven't a clue.......It may take a little while to get established but I'm sure critters will move in in time..... I think there's a thread here somewhere......

[SarahStrawberry]

Someone bought me a butterfly house that also has holes for ladybirds etc. Still haven't got the position right in the garden and they don't see to like going in it. Our bugs seem to be quite happy until old sleepers or spare bits and pieces

[FionaH]

I have a bug hotel made out of old pallets and odds and ends.....as to what may be living in there I haven't a clue.......It may take a little while to get established but I'm sure critters will move in in time..... I think there's a thread here somewhere......

Yup there is, here http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...tml#post734548

[WrexTheDragon]

We make lots of these for the local kids using moss, twigs and dried bracken. The kids love to make these and take them home to hang in their gardens.

Lots of very good feedback on how crowded they get.

They don't cost anything to make and really work.

[oldie]

Yes follow Binley and the thread. Build you own. Gardening Which did a survey over the last year and found that the bought ones were hardly ever used.

[dogsbody]

I have a number, but to be honest, old angelica attracts ladybirds like nothing else. Give them a hand but expect them to make their own arrangements...

[ginger ninger]

Here's a link to what I made last year. It was great fun making it as well...sadly I had to move it because I needed the space, but I'm going to re-locate it in the shade of the fence for this year.
It could be a fun project for little hands to try?

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...tos_41132.html

[zeezeezed]

Ooooo thats brilliant Ginger! Im going to start getting a few bits together for one as I never really thought about doing something on that scale. And no DIY powertool knowledge needed! Thanks

[binley100]

Here's mine.........It's a bit more filled in and overgrown now tho'