How to Build a Bug Hotel

Create a cozy backyard home for beneficial insects using simple recycled materials. HowTo: Family Edition: family how-tos that actually help.

1. Prepare your structure. If you are using a wooden crate, make sure it is stable. If you are using a plastic bottle, ask a grown-up to help you cut off the top part so you have a wide opening.
2. Add the rooms. Pack your materials inside the container. Use the bamboo stalks or hollow reeds to create tunnels, which are great for solitary bees. Stuff the gaps with pinecones and dry leaves to create cozy nooks for beetles and spiders.
3. Secure everything. Make sure your materials are packed tightly so they don't fall out when you move the hotel. You can use twine to tie bundles of sticks together before sliding them into the crate.
4. Find the perfect spot. Place your bug hotel in a quiet, sheltered corner of your garden or balcony that stays dry. It works best if it is near some flowers or bushes.