Make your own Bug - Bed & Breakfast

Design an insect-friendly area in your garden for the small creatures that contribute to its beauty by following these simple steps. You can easily replace these materials with anything you have available in your yard.

Materials Needed:

• A small wooden box or frame, e.g., an old drawer, wooden pallet, or DIY frame

• Small bricks or brick pieces, e.g., mini red bricks, broken brick fragments, or decorative brick tiles. You can source these from a hardware store or repurpose old bricks.

• Natural materials: twigs, reeds (cut into 6-8 inch pieces), pinecones, bark, and straw

• Drill to make holes if needed

• Wood glue, hot glue gun, or outdoor construction adhesive (to secure bricks and materials).

• Twine or wire (for hanging)

• Optional: Acrylic paint in earthy tones for accents

How to Steps:

Prepare the Frame:

• Use a small wooden box or build a frame with scrap wood. Ensure it has an open front and a slanted roof for weather protection.

Incorporate Bricks:

• Stack small bricks or brick pieces in one section of the frame. Use outdoor construction adhesive, wire rope, or wood glue to secure them.

*If bricks do not have natural gaps, drill small holes 1/4 inch to create nesting spots for solitary bees.

Fill with Natural Materials:

• Drill holes in reeds and bundle them with twine for bees

• Stack twigs, pinecones, bark and straw in other sections for insects like ladybugs and beetles.

• Secure everything ensuring the bricks remain a distinct section.

Add a Hanger:

• Attach twine or wire to the top for hanging

Paint (Optional):

• Paint the wooden frame in earthy tones leaving the bricks and natural materials unpainted for a rustic look.

• Add a small Tag saying Insect INN or BUG B&B to add some charm

Location in the Garden:

Hang or position the insect house in a protected area of the garden near plants to draw in beneficial insects.