I've wanted to make a bug hotel for a while but I was trapped in the idea that I needed to make one from a pallet. I didn't have a pallet and so consequently no bug hotel.
Over the last few weeks we have been busily tidying the plot. Part of this has involved moving things around and carrying out long overdue projects. During this activity I was struck by sudden inspiration.
When we took over the plot - about thirty years ago - we inherited a pile of sections of clay cylinders. I guess a previous allotmenteer had used them to grow prize winning leeks, carrots or parsnips. As we are content with edible rather than prize winning, the said clay cylinders have mainly been used to hold down, netting etc.
This was about to change as in my mind's eye was a more creative role for them.
Four of the cylinders were placed in a line and some moss covered concrete blocks were arranged alongside three sides. This was to keep the cylinders in position.
On top of the four cylinders were placed three more, then above that layer another two and a final one placed on top to form a pyramid.
Wood chippings were spread around the base with some being pushed inside the bottom cylinders. I'm hoping that the lower holes will provide shelter for the many frogs and toads that we come across on the plot. There's maybe even room for a hedgehog.
If you are interested I have put together a video showing the construction. It's ten minutes long.
Martyn has also fulfilled a a long time intention and created a mini pond using a rubber bin lid that was also on the plot.
Martyn posted about this on his blog here where you will also find a video of his wildlife project.
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That's a great bug hotel!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Belinda
DeleteI can see where they would be useful as holding things in place. Now, I am sure in their new, repurposed life they will be most welcome by all and sundry bugs and critters!
ReplyDeleteAmuchbetter use I think, Deborah
DeleteIngenious idea! I'm hoping to get some sort of buggy setup going at some point too - this is some good inspiration.
ReplyDeleteIt's been a long time coming, Margaret.
DeleteRecycling at it's best. Lucky Bugs ! This will last a lot longer than the usual wooden Bug Hotel.
ReplyDeleteI just hope it attracts some residents, Marion,
DeleteDefinitely 5 stars. Great to see you in action Sue :)
ReplyDeleteThere was no way that I could get away with just hands shots, Jessica.
DeleteAbsolutely brilliant, well done you. And I love that you made it from things you had lying around, in the true allotmenting spirit. I still haven't got round to making one, I really should though. Love the pond as well, no doubt it will be a magnet for wildlife. I just received my dahlia seeds for a bee survey being done by various charities including (I think) the RHS. Are you doing it? I have to grow three plants of each of three colour dahlias and then record how many bees on each one once a month. I'm looking forward to seeing how it goes. Need to grow decent plants first though!
ReplyDeleteSounds like an interesting experiment, CJ but it's the first that I have heard about it.
DeleteThat is fabulous! Right up my alley. It must be in the air to do projects that have been on the brain for awhile. I made a bug house this spring too.
ReplyDeleteLet's hope that we both have tenants, Bonnie
DeleteYou are endlessly imaginative Sue.
ReplyDeleteI have had several piles of bricks strewn over my veg plot having previously used them to prop up my environmesh. Now I have realised that the environmesh is lifted by the plants themselves I have parked all the bricks in (for me) a neat pile.
It was instructive to find such a rich array of slugs, snails, wood lice and millipedes and also loads of beneficial brown and orange centipedes and lovely shiny black beetles.
I wonder how many will find their new home?
If you spread the bricks to make gaps and filled with sticks etc you would have a bug hotel. Roger. When is your garden open this year?
DeleteLucky insects and frogs, Sue. I liked your 'hotel' as well. Watching video I thought you're tired creating it, the cylinders, concrete blocks, bricks are too heavy things.
ReplyDeleteI'm made of sturdy stuff, Nadezda :-)
DeleteA most commendable symmetry, Sue! Together with the pond those microorganisms (and not so micro organisms) will really get a boost from your efforts!
ReplyDeleteI hope so Mal - we are now thinking of adding a seed feeder but will that attract birds to our plants or tempt them away?
DeleteI just loved your bug hotel, very creative, useful and lovely to look at! That pond will be great for wildlife too, a little water goes a long way!I must go and check out your vlog....how exciting!xxx
ReplyDeleteI knew that you would approve, Dina
DeleteExcellent upcycling and bug hotel.Good luck with your first bookings ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks Julieanne
DeleteThat's definitely a des res Sue and some creative thinking on your part. Like you it's a project that I've been considering from some time and my thoughts have also been centred round pallets. I'm now wandering what we may have lying around :)
ReplyDeleteIt's a case of thinking outside of the box or pallet, Anna
DeleteThat's great, Sue. We had loads of things left on our allotment when we took it on and have used some of them to make a bug hotel. It's a fun thing to do, looks good and benefits the wildlife too
ReplyDeleteHave you any residents, Margaret?
DeleteHello. Good idea to build shelters. I´ll do it in my garden.
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Galicia.
Hello, Tania. I'm hoping plenty of garden friendly wildlife will move in.
DeleteFantastic idea! I really need to get myself together and build one for my garden, smaller one though :)
ReplyDeleteIt took us a long time to get around to actually making one, Aga.
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