Most of the time we refer to insects as pests – creatures to be shooed away and barred from the home. But not all bugs are unwelcome. In fact, some, such as lacewings, ladybugs, and bees, are quite beneficial in the garden. To encourage their presence, you can set up a habitat made from wood, twigs, and hollow bamboo canes. Find out how to make or buy one of these charming little bug boxes or bee hotels after the jump.
1 Bug Box 2000 Insect Habitat, £15.50 (about $23) at Guardian Eco Store; also available at Amazon.com
2 Wooden Bug Box, £12 (about $16) at Garden Trading
3 Pollinating Bee Log, £16 (about $23) at Hen & Hammock
4 Wudwerx Small Bee Hotel, $21 at Etsy (other styles available)
5 Building your own bug box could be a fun project for both adults and kids. The BBC websites have plenty of tips and tutorials: Create an insect home, How to make a bug box, How to make a bee hotel, and Make a bee home or café.
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You left out on of my favorites for bee boxes, bird feeders and the like: http://www.etsy.com/shop/andrewsreclaimed
How do I keep wasps out of these?
Usually you can't. Solitary wasps and bees have similar habitats. Neither are territorial, and wont sting unless provoked.
They can be beneficial insects, and the sting is typically no worse than a bee. The main difference is female wasps have the ability to sting multiple times, where bees get one shot. While bees eat nectar, wasps go for protein such as flies, caterpillars and the like. I've taught my little ones that they're good bugs, but not to mess with them because they sting. The last thing I want is for them to see them as "bad bugs" and try to squish or swat them.
You can distinguish a bee filled cavity versus a wasp filled cavity though. The mud plug that female bees plug their nest with will be rough. The plug from a female wasp is smooth.