Trixie Insect Hotel | Untreated Pine Bug Home for Beneficial Insects

Trixie Insect Hotel - Nesting & Hibernating Aid (29 × 49 × 16 cm)

Create a Sanctuary for Your Garden's Helpful Heroes!

Invite nature's pest controllers and pollinators into your garden with the comprehensive Trixie Insect Hotel. This multi-chamber bug hotel provides vital nesting and hibernation opportunities for a variety of beneficial insects, helping to boost biodiversity and maintain a healthy garden ecosystem.

Constructed from natural, untreated pine wood (preferred by insects) and topped with a durable galvanized metal roof for excellent weather protection, this wildlife hotel is built to offer shelter throughout the seasons. Its varied compartments cater to different species:

• Bamboo Tubes & Drilled Wood Blocks: Offer ideal nesting cavities for various solitary bees (like mason and leafcutter bees) and solitary wasps.
• Wood Shavings Compartment (behind mesh): Provides hibernation shelter for beneficial predators like lacewings and ladybirds, known for controlling aphids.
• Slotted Chamber: Designed potentially for butterflies or moths, though often utilized by other invertebrates like earwigs seeking shelter.

By installing this beneficial insect house, you provide safe refuge from predators and the elements, helping these crucial creatures thrive.

Why Welcome Beneficial Insects?

Modern gardening practices and habitat loss can leave beneficial insects struggling to find suitable places to nest and overwinter. Insect hotels provide essential refuge. Many inhabitants are valuable predators – lacewings and ladybirds feast on aphids, while some solitary wasps prey on other garden pests. Solitary bees are fantastic pollinators, crucial for flowers, fruits, and vegetables. This garden insect habitat helps support these natural processes, reducing the need for chemical pest control and boosting pollination.

Placement Instructions for Your Insect Hotel:

To maximise occupancy:

• Location: Choose a warm, sheltered spot, ideally protected from the heaviest rain and wind.
• Orientation: Facing south or south-east is generally best, especially for attracting sun-loving bees.
• Height: Mount securely at least 1 metre (3 feet) off the ground on a wall, fence, or sturdy post.
• Stability: Ensure it is fixed firmly and does not shake or sway.
• Environment: Proximity to nectar/pollen sources (flowers) and some aphid populations (for predators!) will make it more attractive.

Assessment Against UK Insect Hotel Recommendations:

Based on guidance from organisations like Buglife and the RSPB:

• Materials: The use of untreated pine for the main structure is excellent and strongly recommended. The galvanized metal roof offers good durability and weather protection. Natural bamboo tubes are suitable nesting materials.
• Tube/Hole Diameter: The image shows varied diameters, which is good for attracting different bee species (ideal range 2-10mm).
• Tube/Hole Length: The hotel depth is 16cm. This meets the ideal length recommendation (15cm+) providing good protection for developing bee larvae (a significant plus). Tubes/holes must be closed at the back (bamboo nodes achieve this naturally, drilled holes should not go right through).
• Compartments: Multi-chamber hotels like this are popular but can have drawbacks. Experts sometimes caution that mixing materials closely can potentially increase dampness or parasite issues compared to simpler designs. The effectiveness of the butterfly slot is often questioned. However, the wood shavings section can be valuable for lacewings/ladybirds if kept dry.
• Overall: The Trixie Insect Hotel 59512 scores well on key aspects like untreated wood, excellent nesting tube depth (16cm), and a protective metal roof. While the multi-chamber design has theoretical pros and cons according to expert advice, the crucial bee nesting elements appear well-considered.

Product Details:

• Brand: Trixie
• Type: Insect Hotel / Bug Hotel / Wildlife Habitat
• Item No.: 59512
• Function: Nesting and hibernating aid
• Target Species: Beneficial insects (e.g., Solitary Bees, Lacewings, Ladybirds)
• Materials: Untreated Pine Wood, Galvanized Metal (roof), Bamboo Tubes, Wood Shavings
• Dimensions: 29 × 49 × 16 cm (W x H x D)
• Barcode: 4011905595122

Welcome beneficial wildlife into your garden and enjoy the ecological benefits with this versatile Trixie Insect Hotel!