Here is how we built our bug hotel. Year 5 did most of the work with the environment group for this half term doing the final steps.

  1. We took a pallet and cut out some of the slats to create a framework for the bug hotel.

2. Wire mesh was stapled around the sides of the pallet to stop materials falling out.

3. More wire mesh was stapled to the back of the pallet with enough wire mesh left to fasten over the front once we had filled it.

4. Spare slats were placed inside the pallet to create ledges to put materials onto.

5. We filled the pallet with drilled logs and twigs and other other materials that were cut to 14cm long so that they fitted into the pallet. The logs were drilled with 10mm holes to spell ACE and to create the shapes. In between, smaller holes were drilled as deep as we could. The holes and the gaps between the twigs and logs will provide a space for bugs to shelter or nest in.

6. The environment group tidied up some of the pieces that were too long and helped to fasten the wire mesh over the front.

The final task will be to move the bug hotel to its final position on the wall of the cycle lockup and fasten it to the lockup wall. When finished you should be able to see it as you walk through the gate into school and look towards the playground on the right.

We hope that it will soon fill with bugs. We are already planning another one!