Build an insect hotel and create a home for nature’s little helpers

In this first step, you need to mark the holes that you’re going to drill into the aluminium later:

start by placing the sheet in front of you lengthways on your workbench and marking out 45 mm intervals approximately 5 mm below the top edge (on the long side) (Image 1). Make sure to keep the intervals equidistant along the entire length of the long side. Now, do the same along the bottom edge of the sheet, making sure that the marked intervals are opposite the ones along the top edge.

Then, mark the exact centre of the aluminium sheet (Image 2).

Also transfer the centre marking to the short sides of the sheet and make a mark approximately 15 mm away from the edge (Image 3).
Now, measure 11 mm from this marking in both directions and draw a square around the marking (Image 4). You’ll need this gap later for the broomstick handle.

Make another two markings on the same side: one 100 mm away from the top edge and one 100 mm away from the bottom edge (Image 5).

It’s now time to start drilling the holes:
drill the holes corresponding to all of the markings (along all four sides and in the centre) you made in step one. It’s best to place a scrap wood board underneath the aluminium sheet so that you don’t drill into your workbench (Image 1).

Now, cut out the square drawn on the short sides of the sheet using a pair of kitchen scissors and bend each of the flaps down (Image 2).

Next, roll the sheet together until the square holes and the small drill holes on the short sides overlap. Then, use four screws (M4 x 6 mm) to fasten the sheet in the shape of a drum (Image 3). Make sure that the screwheads are on the inside of the drum.

Now, screw the M3 x 10 mm screws into all the other holes (Image 4). Again, don’t forget that the screwheads need to be facing inwards.

This step is optional, but worth it: you can easily create a simple template by using a compass to mark out a circle with the same diameter as the drum on a wooden board. It’ll help you to determine the dimensions of the wood etc. for the interior of the insect hotel in the next steps.

You’ve made the walls of your insect hotel – it’s now time to take care of the interior design.

A cross fashioned out of firewood forms the core of the interior. You can also use the template from step three to make sure the cross fits perfectly into the metal frame – that way, you’ll be able to determine the correct dimensions (Image 1).

Then, saw one larger and two smaller pieces of firewood to length (Image 2) and use metal joints to join them and form a cross shape. 

Repeat these steps so that you end up with two firewood crosses.

Then, saw reed or bamboo canes to a length of approximately 150 mm (Image 4).

Now, take the broomstick handle and insert it through the square hole in the overlap in the drum (Image 1).

Keep inserting the handle further in until it touches the metal sheet on the other side. Fasten it in place there from the outside using a screw (Image 2).

You now need to drill holes for the insects in both firewood crosses (step four) (Image 1).
You can arrange the holes however you like. They should be evenly spaced out and there should be a hole precisely in the centre so that you can attach the wooden crosses to the broomstick handle. It’s best to use a 6-mm or 8-mm Brad point drill bit for this.

Then, sand down all of the drill holes so that the insects can’t be injured by any protruding splinters.

It’s now time to attach the cross to the broomstick handle inside the drum using the appropriate screw (depending on the drill bit you used).

Glue the bamboo canes or reeds that you’ve sawn to length in the spaces in between. By all means be creative, but make sure you use eco-friendly glue (Image 4).

You’re nearly done! In this last step, you’re going to make sure the insect hotel is safe from birds.
To do this, stretch the masonry cord crossways over the two open ends of the drum. Use the screws that are sticking out as hooks (Image 1).  

Finally, peel the protective film off the drum (Image 2) and your insect hotel can be placed in the perfect spot in your garden.