{"id":3444,"date":"2021-05-29T02:40:05","date_gmt":"2021-05-29T02:40:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ecofamilylife.com\/?p=3444"},"modified":"2021-07-28T07:17:41","modified_gmt":"2021-07-28T07:17:41","slug":"benefits-of-an-insect-hotel-are-they-worth-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ecofamilylife.com\/garden\/benefits-of-an-insect-hotel-are-they-worth-it\/","title":{"rendered":"Benefits of an insect hotel | Are they worth it?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Insect hotels benefit your garden in so many ways like increasing the diversity of insects to control pests, pollinate flowers. Attracting insects to your garden will help you to produce fruit and add some color and interest to your garden. Check out 9 benefits of an insect hotel and why they are worth it in your garden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benefits of an insect hotel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
  1. Increase the natural balance of insects<\/li>
  2. Grow more produce in our garden<\/li>
  3. Helps to control pest<\/a> insects<\/li>
  4. Teach kids about insects<\/li>
  5. Low cost or you can make them yourself for free<\/li>
  6. Decorative<\/li>
  7. Biodegradable<\/li>
  8. Use up recycled materials<\/li>
  9. They come in a size to fit small to large gardens<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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    Insect hotels can be large or small to fit any sized backyard.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Benefits of an insect hotel in your garden<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Increase the natural balance of insects<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Many of our pollinating insects are becoming less and less common in our gardens as they are losing habitat. We can make a great home for them in an insect hotel and by planting a range of flowers for them to feed on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Plant a range of flowers for your insect hotel guests.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Grow more produce in our garden<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Food crops rely on bees to pollinate them for flowers to set and grow fruit<\/a>. Pollinating insects like bees<\/a> collect nectar from the flowers and when they do will move pollen from flower to flower. This pollination is what the plant needs to grow<\/a> strawberries, peas, beans, lemons, apples and watermelon for example.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Pollinating insects are important for our food production in our home and on farms. We know that 70 of the top 100 most popular food crops are pollinated by bees and they pollinate 80% of all flowering plants<\/a> on earth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Insect houses are designed to attract native solitary bees<\/a>, most of which are stingless. They will also attract ladybugs which will eat pesky aphids<\/a> in your garden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Attract bees and pollinators to help plants like strawberries set fruit<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Helps to control pest insects<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Attracting beneficial insects to your garden with an insect hotel will help to control pest insects that can overtake your garden. If you attract a range of insects<\/a> to your garden, they will naturally balance each other out over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The best thing I have experienced in my garden is the way that ladybugs are controlling aphids. New growth on my star jasmine<\/a> is often attacked by aphids. I notice now that they are quickly dealt with by ladybugs who will fly in, eat the aphids and they fly away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Reduce the use of pesticides by creating a balance of good bugs in your garden using a bug hotel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Teach kids about insects<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Putting an insect hotel in your garden is a great way for kids to get a close up view of the bugs in your garden. My kids are very interested in all types of bugs and the insect hotel gives them a great way to see them up close.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Teach your kids not to disturb or touch the insects in the bug hotel<\/a> but give them a good view of ladybugs, bees and spiders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    My new bee hotel sitting on a ledge in my garden<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    They are low cost or you can make them yourself for free<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Insect hotels can be a low cost or free way to attract bugs to your garden and a great craft idea to make with kids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    When I was wandering around Ikea the other day trying to find bedside lamps, I came across a display that showed a really easy way to make a great bug hotel<\/a> with a dollhouse. You could use any empty dollhouse and fill it with natural materials from around your home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This simple idea is a great way to make an insect hotel using a structure already made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Turn a new or old dollhouse into an insect hotel by filling it with natural materials.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Insect hotels are decorative for your garden<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Insect hotels can be a great way to decorate your garden while keeping it functional. Paint insect hotels in bright colors or keep them gray or black for a modern look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Insect hotels can add interest to your blank walls as well as creating a home for passing bees. Paint them to match your home or create a statement and paint them a bold, bright color.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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