Bugs are hugely important to our ecosystems, so why not make this easy bug house to keep them pollinating your garden!
This bug house uses some easily found natural materials, such as bamboo canes, pieces of wood, twigs and plant stems, to provide a range of homes for lots of different invertebrates. This project is perfect for making with kids. Start with a search for suitable branches and twigs, and then make your bug house to suit the materials available. Materials that are sourced in the location where you intend to site your box are likely to be attractive to suitable inhabitants.
A vast number of invertebrates, including spiders, ladybugs, solitary bees and beetle larvae will find the wood and plant-stem tunnels irresistible and quickly make nests or hibernate in them.
Species to expect
This bug house might become occupied by:
UK species – wood-boring beetle larvae, spiders, ladybugs (right), lacewings, solitary bee species (including leafcutter, mason, sweat, wool-carding and carpenter bees).
US species – wood-boring beetle larvae, spiders, ladybugs, lacewings, solitary bee species (including leafcutter, mason, sweat, wool-carding and carpenter bees).
Read more: http://www.permaculture.co.uk/readers-solutions/simple-bamboo-bug-house
