Actually, the old, crumbling wall in your garden should have been torn down a long time ago. Actually. Rather save yourself the trouble of demolishing it and transform the stone wall into a useful and visually appealing insect hotel in a few simple steps. On this page you will find all the information you need to do this.
Holes in a wall can provide a home for insects
location of the wall
Insects are particularly active in direct sunlight and heat. At best, the midday sun shines directly on the stones. Otherwise, your wall should not be too exposed to the weather. In contrast to an insect hotel (€11.33) made of wood, there is the advantage that moisture does not penetrate the stones as quickly, but you still have to protect the dwelling from wind and draughts.
In addition, children and pets should not play in the immediate vicinity of the wall. The insects are not bothered by the hustle and bustle nearby, but since the inhabitants of an insect hotel also include wasps, there is a risk of stinging.
fill wall
The best thing about an insect hotel in a wall is that a lot of the fill material is already there in the form of bricks and clay. In small gaps between the stones you stuff loose natural material such as
- bamboo sticks
- straw
- wood wool
- thin branches
- cones
You can also drill holes in the clay if these are not available. Ensure a depth of at least 6 cm.
One-way or two-way approach path?
This decision is entirely up to you, but it also depends on the location of the wall. Although many insects prefer to fly in from both sides, it makes sense to leave a rear wall on the windy side.
Furthermore, the wall must be wide enough with an approach path on both sides so that birds cannot peck the brood out of the nests.