Insects and invertebrates are important to all aspects of biodiversity from pollinating flowers, decomposing vegetation and being part of the food chain.
To help with this we attended a family event at the re-opened Riverside Centre, where we decided to make insect homes with the children, these they could take home. Also building a habitat area that would stay on site and hopefully provide an education area for future school groups.
How do you build a bug hotel? You need to provide small areas with lots of different environments. The basic structure can be made from old pallets but we managed to obtain recycled wood and had to build a structure. We filled the gaps with dead wood for beetles, ladybirds and centipedes and drilled holes in the frame for solitary bees and rolled up corrugated cardboard for lacewings. Pieces of bark nailed to the frame provide home for spiders, woodlice and millipedes. We also used broken china to provide hedgehog or toad areas. Bricks, leaves and dried grass also provide other areas.
The children had an amazing time helping with the building work and learnt a lot about insects and snails, but more importantly they were able to safely use tools - hacksaws, secateurs, screwdrivers, hammers and drills.We had a great day and hopefully when we revisit we will see lots of bugs enjoying living in their new homes.
