Making A Bug Hotel 

Written by Sylvia Briggs-Bauer

Bugs are everywhere. There are bumblebees in the garden, fruit flies in the plum tree, wasps’ nests in the tool shed, and ants on the sidewalk. I couldn’t count how many times I’ve walked through a spider web, or the number of mosquitos I’ve swatted.   

It turns out, many of these insects help backyard ecosystems more than we think. From pollinators to pest predators, bugs are essential to a healthy garden. The sad news is, due to the use of pesticides and habitat degradation, many beneficial insects are on the decline, especially native species.

According to the Center of Biological Diversity, 1 in 4 native bee species are at risk of extinction in North America and Hawaii.

So, what can I do to help? There are simple answers to your question. Encourage native bugs into your yard by: 

1. Plant natives to create habitats for native insects. Check online plant lists for the best options in your yard or garden space 
2. Don’t use Pesticides or Herbicides  
3. Mow your lawn less! Native bees enjoy lawn flowers such as dandelions and clovers 
4. Build a bug hotel!! 

Are you wondering about the fourth option? Well, you are reading the right article! 

A few years ago, I started to build a bug hotel, and this summer I finally had the chance to finish my creation. 

My materials were simple: recycled wood from the ReStore, old bricks excavated from my yard, some old stumps, pinecones, bamboo, and wire. I assembled the pieces like a three- dimensional collage in a simple wood frame. The last and most important piece was drilling nesting cavities for native mason bees. On trip to the hardware store, I got a foot long, 5/12-inch drill bit to provide the exact hole size these bees need. I drilled over 15 nest cavities, 6 inches long, into pruned branches. I also drilled shorter holes in a small wood block for any other bugs who may be interested in staying.  

The bug hotel now serves as an artistic structure, and a refuge for insects and mason bees in my native garden. I encourage anyone to build a bug hotel – they are easy and fun to make, and they can be made in many different sizes depending on the space you have!  

So, you should give it a try! I bee-lieve in you!