Animals can breed undisturbed in an insect hotel. However, you should not leave the shelter entirely to nature. Insects are also helped if you check on things from time to time. Fortunately, the maintenance effort is very low. Here you can find out which measures are necessary for maintenance.
An insect hotel should only be painted with natural, odorless paints
Protection from weather
Insect hotels are often made of wood. If it is in a rather unfavorable location, it is very susceptible to mold growth. Moisture in particular causes this. Of course, insects no longer feel comfortable under these circumstances. The rot damages the spawn's health. Therefore, make sure to place your insect hotel (€11.33) in a sheltered place.
However, you must not move the shelter around in winter either. A change in temperature signaled the beginning of spring to the residents. The animals then become active at an early stage. However, the food supply is still too low to ensure the survival of the weakened animals.
painting
You can also impregnate the wood as a preventive measure. Actually, a platina forms naturally. However, this also causes the material to turn gray. To preserve the look of your insect hotel, you can apply a layer of beeswax. Lacquer that you use for garden furniture is unsuitable. Insects shy away from the artificial smell.
cleaning
You should also clean your insect hotel once a year. Intervene as little as possible in the existing ecosystem.
filling material
Filling material should only be stolen or renewed if
- it has not been inhabited for several months.
- mold forms.
- You are sure that the brood has long flown.
- Spiders spun their webs over cones and clay tiles.
Filling material often falls out of the compartments or is picked up by birds. In this case, you should fill up the insect hotel with fresh equipment.
cleaning supplies
Clean your insect hotel with water only. Chemical agents and aggressive cleaning agents drive away the residents and do not belong in an ecological garden.