Insects are finding it increasingly difficult to find shelter due to the increasing number of buildings on green spaces. Fortunately, however, the number of mindful people who want to contribute to the protection of species by setting up an insect hotel is also increasing. Is a conventional insect hotel too boring for you? Would you like a copy that not everyone has? Then build your insect hotel out of an old wagon wheel.

An old wagon wheel is decorative and practical to turn into an insect hotel

Advantages of a wagon wheel as a framework

Insect hotels often come in the form of pop-up houses or boxes that attach to a tree. Although the production of these models is also quite simple, a wagon wheel offers several advantages in terms of effort and use:

  • The scaffolding is already finished, the dimensions are given.
  • You don't have to worry about the compartments either.
  • An insect hotel (€11.33) in the wagon wheel has no back wall. The insects can fly in from both sides.

Build an insect hotel from a wagon wheel yourself

An insect hotel in the wagon wheel looks visually appealing and can be made in just a few minutes.

  1. You need an old wagon wheel, whether it's made of wood or metal.
  2. Cut the appropriate filling material to fit exactly.
  3. You can strengthen small parts with clay.
  4. If cones or straw are about to fall out, stretch some rabbit wire in front of the spokes.
  5. Set up the compartments individually to increase the species richness of the residents.

filling material

The filling material decides which animals will later nest in your insect hotel. You can collect the raw materials yourself. It is important that it is a natural material. The insects recognize polluted substances and bypass the supply.
Among other things, the following are suitable:

  • Thin branches for butterflies
  • Bamboo tubes, bricks, pierced hardwood for bees and wasps
  • Wood shavings, straw and pine cones for ladybugs, earwigs and lacewings

location

The location is also crucial in order to offer the animals species-appropriate winter quarters. Place or hang your cartwheel in a warm, sunny spot. At best, allow entry from both sides. Make sure that the insect hotel is inaccessible to cats. You should also protect it from precipitation and moisture. Finally, you should also provide future residents with a source of food in the area.

Category:

Animals in the garden