Hi Little Plotters, and welcome to our first activity together to celebrate Imbolc.

I have been reading a bit about Insect Hotels and how brilliant they are at giving shelter and a nesting place to lots of different bugs including beetles, lace wings, wood lice and solitary bees - the ones that don't use a hive. And all these little creatures are such an important part of our gardens, allotments and open spaces as they help keep the soil healthy and pollinate the flowers.

So I was really pleased to learn how to make a Hotel for them and share it with you.

(You can use the arrow buttons to move through my pictures)

Here we go!

Frida

Frida’s guide to building an Insect Hotel

Here are some of the tools we used. You don't need all or any of them, it depends on what container you choose for your Hotel. I was lucky enough to have my Grandad help and he just loves using his hammer and drill.
Next you’ll need a container. We chose two. The first was a flower pot - not so much an Hotel more a small flat but very cosy. Our pot is terracotta but you could use a plastic one but maybe punch some holes in it to let it breath. Grandad built our second Hotel out of some wood that he already had. You can use lots of things but cardboard wouldn't work because it's not rain proof. Look around to see what you already have that is weatherproof and can be fixed or placed somewhere in a sunny spot.
Next I gathered all the bits and pieces to put in the containers. Sticks and hollow stems of plants, pine cones, dead flower heads, cardboard and dried grasses and leaves etc. We also used a small log which we drilled some holes in as solitary bees (the ones that don't use a hive) love these.
I filled the pot with a bit of everything packed quite tight so it wouldn't fall out. I did the same with the Wood Hotel, filling each section with the different stuff and piling it up.
Grandad finished the Hotel by fixing a piece of plastic wire across the front to keep everything in. You could use chicken mesh for this job.
Your Hotel is now ready for guests! Its best to place your finished Hotel somewhere it will catch some sun and be a bit protected from the rain and wind. We put ours up on a fence but you will know best where to place yours. I loved making these and will be watching out to see who uses them.
Nice work! Once you’ve made your Insect Hotel, if you have a Little Plotters book don’t forget to add the first sticker. I’d love to see pictures of what you make so I can share them with other Little Plotters. Please email them to me at littleplotters@gmail.com. Have fun! Love Frida

(You can use the arrow buttons to move through my pictures)

Here we go!

Frida

Here are some of the tools we used. You don't need all or any of them, it depends on what container you choose for your Hotel. I was lucky enough to have my Grandad help and he just loves using his hammer and drill.

Next I gathered all the bits and pieces to put in the containers. Sticks and hollow stems of plants, pine cones, dead flower heads, cardboard and dried grasses and leaves etc. We also used a small log which we drilled some holes in as solitary bees (the ones that don't use a hive) love these.

I filled the pot with a bit of everything packed quite tight so it wouldn't fall out. I did the same with the Wood Hotel, filling each section with the different stuff and piling it up.

Grandad finished the Hotel by fixing a piece of plastic wire across the front to keep everything in. You could use chicken mesh for this job.

Your Hotel is now ready for guests! Its best to place your finished Hotel somewhere it will catch some sun and be a bit protected from the rain and wind. We put ours up on a fence but you will know best where to place yours. I loved making these and will be watching out to see who uses them.

Nice work! Once you’ve made your Insect Hotel, if you have a Little Plotters book don’t forget to add the first sticker. I’d love to see pictures of what you make so I can share them with other Little Plotters. Please email them to me at littleplotters@gmail.com. Have fun! Love Frida