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)
  • 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 – 9mm in diameter and approx. 15mm deep with no sharp edges.
  • 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.

MATERIALS

  • Assortment of recycled and repurposed human-made materials and organic materials
  • seed pods, pine cones, bamboo (10-15cm long) 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
  • mesh veg bags, chicken/bird wire
  • hardwood timber cut offs with drilled holes 4 – 9mm in diameter and approx. 15mm deep for Solitary bees/wasps. Sandpaper.
  • 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 INCLUDE:

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

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

Dogbane (Plectranthus caninus) is a hardy favourite to bring pollinators and flowers almost all year around. Natives 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/
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