Construct a Bug Hotel

Building for ConservationPreschool FunBugs/ InvertebratesKaitiaki/Conservation
Written By Kim Manunui

Bug hotels do not need to be flash or pretty. Bugs tend to love piles of dirt, logs, sticks, stones and leaves. As long as there are plenty of places to hide, with enough food and water they will move in to your bug hotel. In fact, the best bug hotel is a pile of old rotten logs. We have had many debates with students, teachers and caretakers, over the years about having piles of rotting logs left for bug hunting. Some people think it looks messy, while others see the value in it as a habitat, and as a place of exploration for children. One solution to keep everyone happy, is to put up a sign. This one here was designed by students using an online design programme and then printed onto outdoor signage material to put up at Spa Park, the largest park in Taupō. We think it’s pretty cool!

Another great home for bugs is your compost bin! See Ruud Kleinpaste talk about this in the video ‘Yucky Bugs’ be!ow.

At Kids Greening Taupō, we have had success with stacked pallet bug hotels filled with dirt, decaying wood/logs, sticks, stones and bricks. These messy pallet designs allow for tamariki to dig in the pile to find bugs with ease. These are best if they are placed in a shay damp spot.

NOTE for users: Remember to return the bugs and cover your digging spot back over with dirt, leaves and other natural items after you have finished to make sure the bugs can return to their homes!

Check out our Nature Connector about how to make a wēta hotel.

Here are a few different bug hotel designs:

The following videos are in Te Reo Māori: Whare Ngāngara

He hanga whare ngāngara te mahi ki te taha o Whaene Hawaiki. He aha pea ētahi rauemi hei hanga i tō whare ngāngara?

Kim Manunui

Hi, I’m Kim and I work with a great team to help individuals, as well as small and not so small businesses get their message, product and services to the world using digital media and creating wonderful websites that don’t cost the earth.

I was born in Canada, and grew up around Vancouver and the mountains of British Columbia. My love of pristine environments led me to New Zealand and eventually to the mountains, lakes and rivers of the central North Island which is home. My family’s heritage is here, and it’s from here that Korio traverses the planet.

The digital world is never static and neither are we.

And I say ‘we’ because I work with an awesome group of talented people who I gather together as required to complete a project.  Whatever your business, not-for-profit or individual needs are we gather the best team to get the job done.

Collaboratively we are creative, share sustainable values and work hard for great outcomes because that’s the buzz of satisfaction that drives us.

If you have an audience and market to reach, we can make that happen. Creative design, words that work and smart behind the scenes stuff that cuts through the online noise. We’ll design your website and then build it. We’ll manage the content as well as all your hosting needs. We can handle your online advertising so you get noticed,
and we’ll manage your social media presence so you get the clicks, likes and engagement to grow your business. All within the budget you set, because none of this needs to cost the earth.  And the job doesn’t stop when your website goes live. We are your virtual business partner.

https://www.korio.co.nz
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