#Biodiversity
Enhance the biodiversity of your outdoor spaces with our large insect hotels or BetterflyHotel
Professionals, institutions or private individuals can boost biodiversity with our sustainable insect hotels made in Belgium. Provide a refuge for many species and contribute to the ecological balance of your space.
The BetterflyHotel is suitable for different types of insects, such as solitary bees, ladybirds, butterflies and many more.
We can also design bespoke models to meet the specific needs of your image or project.
Our large insect hotels
Hotel
Dimensions :
H 140cm x W 60cm x D 35cm
Towers
Two sizes available:
Height 140cm
Height 160cm
Letters
Dimensions :
140cm x 250cm x 43cm
Laboratory
Ideal for schools, this model allows students to observe the laying of osmia bees in spring.
H 160cm x W 20cm x D 22cm.
Round
Material: larch
Each piece is unique because it is adapted to the environment.
Dimension: D 100cm x D 35cm
Species that can be accommodated in our insect hotels
Opting for an insect hotel is an invitation to fascinating species.
One effective way of helping to conserve the environment is to install insect hotels. These surprising structures offer refuge to a multitude of insect species, making them an interesting and educational way of encouraging biodiversity in our outdoor spaces.
Let's find out what species we can house in these insect shelters.
Wild bees
Bees are essential for pollinating plants, but are in decline due to habitat loss.
Insect hotels provide ideal shelter for these precious pollinators. They can find refuge in the bamboo tubes, hollow stems or pieces of wood provided in our structures for this purpose.
Ladybirds
Ladybirds are real allies for gardeners, feeding on aphids and other small insect pests.
Our insect hotels can accommodate these beneficial species by providing them with narrow slots where they can rest and overwinter.
Syrphid beetles
Hoverflies, also known as flower flies, are small insects that look like wasps or bees.
They are excellent pollinators and their larvae feed on aphids. Hoverflies will be attracted to hollow stems or straw-filled tubes, where they can lay their eggs.
Butterflies
Butterflies are majestic creatures that add beauty to our gardens and outdoor spaces.
Nnsect hotels are also designed to provide shelter for butterflies, offering them niches where they can rest, feed and multiply.
The benefits of installing an insect hotel
An ecological refuge for our six-legged friends, an insect hotel is now indispensable. But how do they really benefit our environment?
Restoring the ecological balance
Insect hotels create a space where beneficial species can settle in and thrive. Solitary bees, ladybirds, parasitoid wasps and other beneficial insects find refuge in these structures, helping to pollinate plants, naturally regulate pests and maintain the ecological balance.
Encouraging local biodiversity
Installing an insect shelter promotes biodiversity by providing a place for different species of insects to breed and survive.
This increases the diversity of insects present in the chosen environment, creating a more resilient and balanced ecosystem.
Encouraging pollination
As we all know, bees and other pollinators play a crucial role in plant pollination.
By providing an additional habitat for insects, insect hotels increase plants' chances of pollinating, thereby encouraging fruit and seed production.
Restoring the ecological balance
Insect hotels create a space where beneficial species can settle in and thrive. Solitary bees, ladybirds, parasitoid wasps and other beneficial insects find refuge in these structures, helping to pollinate plants, naturally regulate pests and maintain the ecological balance.
Encouraging local biodiversity
Installing an insect shelter promotes biodiversity by providing a place for different species of insects to breed and survive.
This increases the diversity of insects present in the chosen environment, creating a more resilient and balanced ecosystem.
Encouraging pollination
As we all know, bees and other pollinators play a crucial role in plant pollination.
By providing an additional habitat for insects, insect hotels increase plants' chances of pollinating, thereby encouraging fruit and seed production.
Restoring the ecological balance
Insect hotels create a space where beneficial species can settle in and thrive. Solitary bees, ladybirds, parasitoid wasps and other beneficial insects find refuge in these structures, helping to pollinate plants, naturally regulate pests and maintain the ecological balance.
Encouraging local biodiversity
Installing an insect shelter promotes biodiversity by providing a place for different species of insects to breed and survive.
This increases the diversity of insects present in the chosen environment, creating a more resilient and balanced ecosystem.
Encouraging pollination
As we all know, bees and other pollinators play a crucial role in plant pollination.
By providing an additional habitat for insects, insect hotels increase plants' chances of pollinating, thereby encouraging fruit and seed production.
Reducing the use of pesticides
By attracting ladybirds, parasitoid wasps and hoverflies, insect hotels contribute to the natural regulation of pests. This can reduce dependence on chemical pesticides, preserving the health of ecosystems and minimising negative impacts on the environment and human health.
Raising awareness of biodiversity conservation
Installing an insect shelter offers an opportunity for environmental education. It's a unique way of raising awareness of the importance of insects and biodiversity. These structures offer children and adults alike an opportunity to gain a better understanding of the crucial role insects play in our ecosystem.
Embellishing and decorating your green space
In addition to their functional role, insect hotels add an aesthetic touch to your garden. And we design them to measure! They can be designed in different ways and custom shapes, offering a wide variety of styles and designs to suit your preferences.
So many benefits, so why not install an insect hotel in your outdoor space? It's a small action that can have a huge impact on our environment.
FAQ
A large insect hotel is a structure specially designed to provide a favourable habitat for beneficial insects. Here's how an insect hotel generally works:
Insect hotels generally consist of a wooden box or structure with several compartments. Each compartment is filled with different natural materials such as logs, twigs, hollow stems, pine cones, bark, straw, bricks, etc. These materials provide different types of shelter for insects.
Each compartment or section of the insect hotel provides a specific habitat for different types of insect. For example, twigs can attract ladybirds, hollow stems can host solitary bees, bark can be used by beetles, and so on. The idea is to provide environments conducive to insect nesting, hibernation and reproduction.
The location of the insect house is important for its effective operation. It's best to place it in a sunny spot, sheltered from the wind and close to sources of food for insects, such as flowering plants, gardens, green spaces or meadows.
To attract insects, we recommend planting native flowers and plants near the insect hotel. These plants will provide pollen and nectar, as well as additional shelter for the insects.
The best time to install an insect hotel is in spring or autumn. These seasons offer favourable conditions for insects to settle into their new habitat.
In spring, insects are more active and looking for nesting sites to reproduce. Installing the insect hotel at this time gives them the opportunity to quickly discover the structure and use it as a shelter for their eggs and offspring.
Autumn is also a good time to install an insect hotel. At this stage, many insects are looking for a place to spend the winter, hibernate or protect themselves from the weather. By installing the insect hotel in autumn, you can offer them a safe place to rest during the cold season.
And we have a BetterflyBox for every season!
Insect hotels generally require very little maintenance.
However, it is advisable to clean and replace certain materials once a year, for example in autumn, to maintain a healthy environment for insects.
Our tips for maintaining a favourable environment for insects
Our insect hotels are made by talented Belgian craftsmen and are designed to have a minimum life span of 20 years. However, maintenance is necessary to ensure long-lasting quality and a safe environment for the insects.
Discover our advice:
A maximum of one cleaning per year is necessary to remove debris and parasites and especially to break up the spider webs. As bees do not pass through obstacles, if the webs are allowed to thicken too much, they will not be able to pass. You don't have to dismantle anything, just run your hand over the wood with holes.
Check the condition of your insect house from time to time. If you notice any damaged parts, repair them quickly to prevent the insects from being exposed to the outside elements or predators.
Avoid using pesticides or chemicals near your insect house. These products can kill insects or prevent them from colonising the hotel.
If your insect house has compartments filled with natural materials such as bamboo stalks, hollow branches or pine cones, make sure they are dry enough to prevent mould or rot. If necessary, replace these materials regularly.
Avoid moving your insect house once it has been set up, as this can disturb the insects living in it. If you must move it, do so slowly and carefully.
