The greenish shimmering lacewing has a significant wingspan and serves as a natural pest control. Reason enough to lure the insects into the garden. Usually the animals nest in sheds, fallen leaves or hollow trees. A lacewing insect hotel, which is precisely tailored to the needs of the animals, is also readily accepted.
The entrances for the lacewings must be sufficiently wide
filling material
Lacewings use an insect hotel (€11.33) primarily for hibernation. Therefore, you should preferably use heat-storing material for the filling. are recommended
- straw
- and wood shavings
When using wood wool, make sure that it is free of harmful substances.
Build insect hotel for lacewings yourself
Bought insect hotels do not always meet the needs of the insects. Above all, the manufacturers are concerned with the optics. A self-built insect hotel is therefore the better alternative.
tools and materials
- Hardwood (e.g. pine or spruce): one 30 x 35 cm board and one 27 x 29 cm board, two beveled 25 x 27 cm boards
- eleven strips with a length of 25 cm and a diameter of 4 x 1 cm
- screws and nails
- Rabbit wire 25 x 50 cm
- filling material
- red color (free of harmful substances)
building instructions
- Cut the side panels and attach them to the back panel (board measuring 27 x 29 cm).
- Nail the strips to the side panels.
- Fill the lacewing box with straw.
- Stretch the rabbit wire under the box.
- Paint the box red.
- Put on a roof and screw it tight.
Location, color and other tips
Ideally, the opening of your lacewing box should face south. This keeps the insects nice and warm inside. A roof overhang reliably protects against precipitation and the resulting moisture. It is best to hang the insect hotel on a tree at a height of at least 1.5 meters.
An insect hotel painted red attracts the insects. In order for the animals to feel comfortable, the openings should be narrow and vertical.