Nice and Cosy Wildlife House

oh i do like this Paul. i think i'll have to build one of those here.

That's fab. :o)

If I were an insect I would like to live here

Another project for you Sandra. Have you done anymore to that concrete Sofa?
There were 3 or 4 of these constructions around the college.I think they're great!

i have'nt had time for concrete sofas Paul too much gardenung and potting on. but realy enjoying the weather.

but i will be building a little house for the bugs in my garden...

I haven't really got space in my garden for a big bug house like this one Sandra but I'd like one cos they're great. But I do hang up bundles of hollow stems and bamboo etc for the bugs.Look forward to seeing your photos when it's built.

you say 'big bug house'....just how big is it?

This one was about 5ft high and 4ft wide but obviously you could build a scaled down version.And you could have a flat roof instead of an apex! Have fun!!!

mine wont be that big.......thats huge..

I am having a go at making a small one of these - just using log roll (handy holes) a bit I don't want. Rolling it up and popping it inside a plant pot - we'll see how it takes shape.

I had loads and loads of bees in the garden today - one came in the shed loaded with pollen. Busy little things!

Hey, I just found your photo. What a great idea.... I love this.

Janie.....what are you doing up so early?....it must be no later than 5:30 am your time. I'd still be sawing logs at that time. :oD

The early bird gets the worm Gilli!! This house was huge but any size will give a home for bugs won't it? Good idea using left over log roll Janie.I've got loads of old roof tiles. I suppose I could do something with them if I can find space!!

What is log roll if you don't mind me asking?
I wonder.....if I make one with a space underneath I may even get some garter snakes living there.

Hi Gilli,
Log roll is a product that a lot of people use for bordr edging. It's just peices of log cut down the middle and joined together with wire so it can be a flexible edging. Janie obviously had some left over from something.
I think basically you can use pretty well anything thats's wildlife frindly to make some kind of wildlife home. And, as you say, if you leave some gaps big enough, you could get all sorts in there. Particularly if it's warm from being in the sun for part of the day! Good luck.

Oh yes! I've seen that in some of the photos on here. It looks nice. I think that may be my goal for this summer......attracting some garter snakes....I know they are out in the field behind the house as occasionally one will come in under the fence. There is a big pile of old apple tree roots and trunks that I think they live in.

Brilliant little house there paul and its a pleasure seeing someone go to all that effort.

Yes, there was certainly some work put in to them Rosina. The students at Writtle(Essex) Horticultural college made them. There were quite a few arond the grounds.

Well made I know some one who would love this on another site.

How thin can one of these be and still be useful? I don't have much space, but I could hang a slim one on the fence out of the way, so it wouldn't get too disturbed.

Any item, regardless of the size, could home some wildlife, particularly insects. Even a toilet roll middle packed with straw and hung up or a bundle of hollow stems/bamboo canes. Ladybirds, Lacewings etc will use them to overwinter in.

thanks, i'll get to work!