HOW TO CREATE SMALL INSECT HABITATS

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DESIGN GUIDELINES

  • Plan to provide an assortment of habitat options for various insects by using a variety of materials and entrance options. (materials suggestions below and photo gallery)
  • While this Insect Hotel may loook like an artwork, please ensure it has functional purpose for increasing the biodiversity of wildlife as many insects are globally on the decline and this has repercussions for all life.
  • Create the entrance to compartments with different shapes and sizes. Butterflies like vertical slit shapes and green lacewings like horizontal slits, bees and wasps prefer holes 4 – 10 mm in diameter and approx. 15mm deep with no sharp edges. Drill a variety of sized holes in timber peices. Holes need to be at least 100mm deep and variations of 4, 6, 8, and 10 mm wide. Use sandpaper or circular file to take off rough edges of the holes. 
  • Tightly pack compartments with materials and insulating filling.
  • Design to ensure rain will not easily enter and wind won’t blow through it. If it is more decorative it may need to be placed under cover.
  • ​Cover with wire mesh or recycled plastic mesh orange/onion bags for stability and to keep materials inside. 
  • Please in a spot which will recieve morning sun, is out of the wind, and doesnt recieve any western hot sun.

MATERIALS

  • Assortment of recycled and repurposed human-made materials and organic materials
  • seed pods, pine cones, bamboo (10-15cm long) with a variety of sizes and filed gently with a circular file. Dried leaves, bark, twigs, wood chips, straw/hay, flax and grasses.
  • hose cut-offs, agi pipe,
  • broken tiles and terracotta
  • toilet rolls, rolled newspaper, corrugated cardboard, paper cups,
  • plastics: Containers, straws, plastic recycled plant pots, etc. *Note: plastic will break down into microplastics, especially when in the sun for a period of time. You are re-purposing for this project but need to be aware that they do not break down and pollute the environment. 
  • mesh veg bags, chicken/bird wire
  • hardwood timber cut offs with drilled holes 4 – 10mm in diameter and approx. 150mm deep for Solitary bees/wasps. Sandpaper/circular file. 
  • wire, rope, string, rubber bands, twisty ties, elastic bands,
  • Insulating fillings: coir matting, hair insulation mats, wool, straw, grass
  • Assembling: Scissors, Secateurs, hand-drill, tapes, hole-punch, stapler and staples, glue, pliers, handsaw, wire-cutters, etc

INSECTS WILL COME!

  • Solitary bees
  • Ladybugs
  • Butterflies
  • Spiders
  • Predatory Wasps
  • Green Lacewings

ADD PLANTS TO ENCOURAGE BENEFITIAL INSECTS TO PLAY IN YOUR GARDEN:

See this link for lots of local indigenous plant choices
Indigenous and native plants in the garden provide pollen and attract birds: Grevilleas, Callistemon, Leptospermum and Eucalypts. Create diversity by adding these flowers and herbs to your veggie garden: Calendula, Poppies, Marigold, Sunflowers, Roses, Alyssum, Cosmos, Daisy’s and Cornflower. Basil, Coriander, Chives, Onions and Leek, Catmint Bergamot, Rosemary, Lavender, Borage, Chamomile, Dill, Parsley and Thyme.

FOR MORE INFO:

Thank you to these websites for their useful information:
Permaculture good bugs and beneficial plants: http://permaculturenews.org/2014/10/04/plants-attract-beneficial-insects/
Sustainable Gardening Australia - Insect Hotels or garden art?
Melbourne Uni - insect hotel
The Australasian Biological Control Association: http://www.goodbugs.org.au/. chemical toxicity / insects
Leaf, Root and Fruit have some great videos on insects including this cool one of the Hoverflies: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9UU5qkOPZdw