While some insects are harmful to plants, not all are to be hunted. On the contrary, their existence constitutes the guarantee of the blooming of the garden, each insect has its particularity. Currently, most of their habitats are destroyed by man. This action causes their disappearance, as is the case for bees. As a result, their survival becomes paramount. Insect hotels arouse the interest of all in order to conserve them. What role does this type of shelter play in a garden?
Insects essential for the well-being of plants
Each living being has a particular function to preserve the environment. With this in mind, in a private garden, it is up to the gardener to take care of the plants and to select useful insects. A garden that is welcoming to these helpers promotes the blooming of wild flora. Thus, a categorization between useful insects and pests is essential. Three types of beneficial insects are favourable for gardens: pollinators, predators and parasites.
On the one hand, pollinators include insects that feed on the nectar and pollen of flowers. These include bees, bumblebees, wasps and butterflies. Their supplies contribute to the reproduction of plants. In their absence, the fruits and seeds become smaller.
On the other hand, predatory insects and parasites prevent the spread of harmful insects. This is the case of ladybugs, ground beetles and lacewings. The latter are used to control aphids or larvae. In addition, they can consume hundreds of them per day.
In addition, these predators, carnivorous or omnivorous, dislodge the most devastating pests for plants. In addition, these insects can feed on plants. They prevent the domination between plants, because this mode of nutrition becomes profitable for the reflowering of plants. Weeds are naturally destroyed.
Description of an insect hotel
The insect hotel, also known as the insect house, is a wooden construction built in a garden. It contributes to the maintenance of the life of these bugs. Especially for those threatened with extinction. During the winter period, it warms the larvae. In summer, this structure shelters the laying of eggs by these species. For example, the masonry of the bees.
The insect hotel is elaborated meticulously. Indeed, each species of insect will need a specific hiding place according to the periods of the year. It would be necessary to get to know them in order to install the primordial needs for these bugs.
However, this shelter must be maintained because it could be transformed into a bird feeder. Indeed, this feathered animal is a threat to insects. In order to mitigate this risk, the construction of the insect hotel must take into account the natural criteria of the shelter.
Interests of the insect hotel
Insect hotels have a primary role in the preservation of the ecosystem. They are beneficial for the plants and mainly for the garden. In addition, the disappearance of certain insects also leads to the extinction of plants. Since man destroys a large part of their natural habitats, it is fundamental to replace them. Gardens are the ideal location for these shelters.
Owning a garden helps these types of insects. Nevertheless, the choice of plants and flowers to be cultivated is an important point because they need to feed themselves. Some plants provide them with essential nutrients. Like borage, which satisfies pollinating insects. In addition, small bowls placed in the balcony garden could constitute water corners.
In addition to the ecological contribution of these shelters, they are also of educational interest. Indeed, these garden insect hotels conserve biodiversity. They allow the observation of the habits and habits of insects. The richness of the wildlife can be contemplated there.
Steps in the making of an insect hotel
The construction of the small insect house can be done through two processes. They are available in specialized stores. Wooden xxl insect hotels are the most popular. Nevertheless, for a quality/price ratio, the solution is to make your own. The garden shed must be installed in a single operation. Moreover, their installation must depend on the seasons. Indeed, some shelters must be installed during the fall or early winter.
The installation of insect hotels
The support can be built using a xxl size in natural wood. These wooden insect hotels are appreciated by their occupants. They should be placed at the bottom of the garden, around a flower bed. Thus, they will be close to the plants. The ideal would be to position them in a quiet place and sheltered from the wind, especially in the southern part of the garden. In addition, they must be protected against humidity. In this sense, they should be placed high up, at least 30 cm from the ground.
In addition, a metal roof helps to protect the hotel wood insect against rain and moisture infiltration. Once these steps have been completed, food must be placed in the rooms or rooms of the construction. This technique attracts insects into the hotel insect nature.
Examples of materials for auxiliary insects
Following the installation of this relaxdays hotel for garden insects, some elements must integrate this small palace. This procedure makes it possible to house and preserve the insects. A variation of materials is required in the rooms in order to diversify the environment of the guests. These insects have elements that are specific to them.
For the solitary and osmia bee house, drilled wooden logs or hollow stems will do the trick. This type of material favours their laying. In addition, a closed box with a 10 mm hole would be suitable for bumblebees. Pieces of branches are the ideal shelter for carabid bees. Beetles live in dry leaves or pine cones. They are equally fond of shelters with holes in the wood. Butterflies, on the other hand, take shelter in straws, herbs or melliferous flowers. Other insects reside in clay pots filled with straw.
Insect Hotel Maintenance
The construction of an insect hotel is a long-term commitment. Regular maintenance must be carried out, as these constructions are ephemeral. Insects can change shelters over time. In addition, other circumstances could destroy the shelter. Like mold or wood decay.
However, natural wood treatments are not suitable for their house. Indeed, products, natural or synthetic, are harmful to the health of these "guests". A contradiction in relation to the set objective. Their use is prohibited for the maintenance of this hotel. The appropriate advice is to regularly remove cobwebs. Since, once the webs are woven, the spider settles in a hole to hunt its prey. The insect shelter would be an "insect restaurant" for him.
Also, maintenance varies depending on the materials. For example, straw should be renewed every 2 years, and pine cones every 5 to 6 years. These replacements limit the decomposition and deterioration of the materials, they also repel parasitic insects.
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