Insect hotels | Luring insects to the garden pond is how you do it
An insect hotel is a structure specially designed to provide a safe environment for different species of insects. It is an important contribution to the conservation of biodiversity and can be placed in a variety of green environments.
All about bee hotels and insect hotels
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of an insect hotel?
- The difference between bee hotels and insect hotels
- How do I attract bees and other insects with aquatic plants?
- How do you make your own insect hotel?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of an insect hotel?
An insect hotel offers several benefits. For example, along with aquatic plants, a safe shelter and nesting opportunity for various species of insects and can make an important contribution to biodiversity and food production. However, if insect hotels are not properly maintained, they can be detrimental to the insect population. Furthermore, they can attract unwanted insects, which can sometimes lead to human nuisance. Therefore, it is important to place insect hotels in the right place and maintain them properly.
Colorful marsh plants are the insect attractors
Bog plants with large colorful flowers contain nectar, which is very popular among many insects. If you want to increase biodiversity in and around the pond by attracting insects such as bees and butterflies, then colorful marsh plants are the way to go. - Simon
Colorful hardy marsh plants from our own nursery
The difference between bee hotels and insect hotels
Bee hotels are specially designed for bees and have small holes suitable for solitary bees. These bees lay their eggs in the holes and provide them with food before they hatch. Bee hotels are very important because many species bees threatened with extinction. Insect hotels are broader in scope and provide shelter for different types of insects, such as butterflies, bees, wasps and beetles. They can contain different types of openings and compartments to meet the needs of different insects.
How do I attract bees and other insects with aquatic plants?
There are several pond plants that can be useful near an insect hotel because they can serve as food or shelter for different types of insects. Here are some examples: Water lilies, because they provide shade and shelter and a place to rest for bees and butterflies where they can simultaneously feed on the nectar from flowers of pond plants. Also marsh plants with colorful flowers are ideal for attracting insects to the pond because of the nectar the flowers contain. Remember, it is important to ensure diverse and healthy plant growth around each pond type and the insect hotel, as it creates a healthy habitat for different species of insects.
How do you make your own insect hotel?
To make your own insect hotel, gather different materials such as logs, hollow stems, reeds, straw, pine cones, corks, empty toilet rolls, dry leaves and twigs and build a sturdy frame made of wood or bamboo, for example. Fill the frame with the materials and make the rooms different sizes to attract different kinds of insects. Cover the insect hotel with a roof, place it in a sheltered, sunny spot near flowers and plants for food and pollination, and check and clean the insect hotel regularly.
Frequently asked questions about the insect hotel
Place the insect hotel sheltered and sunny, 1-2 feet above the ground, close to flowers and plants for food and pollination. Provide variety of rooms and materials to attract different insect species.
To attract insects to your insect hotel, provide different nesting opportunities and materials such as logs, stalks, reeds, straw and pine cones. Place the hotel near flowers and plants that attract insects for food and pollination and be patient, it may take a while for them to discover it.
Simon van der Velde
Pond specialist and aquatic plant grower since 1986
Simon's vision is to let nature do its work in your pond. No need to buy all kinds of measuring equipment and water improvers. If the fish are swimming nicely and the plants are growing well, then the water in the pond is of good quality. With a good planting plan and the right approach, you can save a lot of money and maintenance, and ensure a clear, biologically balanced pond that becomes more beautiful every year.
