Boundaries
A part from my imagination there are not many boundaries in creating a bug hotel, the only things I have found a bit more challenging has been to learn about some bugs habitat, which can be solved researching, studying and talking with people experienced in the subject.
Also to find and collect natural materials can be complicated especially if I live in a city, and a bigger challenge is to find enough diversity and quantity of materials.
Other than that I think creating a bug hotel is an easy and pleasant job.
In the case that you want to do a workshop to build a bug hotel, you can read below some challenges I have find on doing pallets hotel.
Also to find and collect natural materials can be complicated especially if I live in a city, and a bigger challenge is to find enough diversity and quantity of materials.
Other than that I think creating a bug hotel is an easy and pleasant job.
In the case that you want to do a workshop to build a bug hotel, you can read below some challenges I have find on doing pallets hotel.
Resources
One of the main reasons to do this project was to use the wood pole leftovers from the Earth looms that already we are making, and now they are occupying lots of space in our workshop, getting to a point were we have a big need to use them.
That's why I have decided to do a Bug Hotel in a frame to use this ones as a free material and renewable resource, trying to produce no waste from any of our products. So let´s see how we can solve this problem and use it as a valued resource by finding a place for it. The posts are 90cm x 90cm and depending on which type of earthloom we build, we get different leftover sizes, these measures are (in cm): 90 x 90 x 110 90 x 90 x 75 90 x 90 x 50 |
As you can see at the picture, they are the two main post that support the structure, so we have 2 post left over for each weaving loom that we make.
For now unfortunately these poles came from the huge chain shop B&Q, something that I'm not proud at all, and hope soon we can find another smaller provider, local and with ethics and principles that fit with permaculture. At the moment we didn't find anyone that can provide regularly large quantities of these materials, but we will keep looking until we find one.
Around where we live there are large areas of forest from which we can extract free biological resources such as wood, pine cones, tree bark and many other natural elements.
There are also many farms were we can get straw, wool or other materials.
For now unfortunately these poles came from the huge chain shop B&Q, something that I'm not proud at all, and hope soon we can find another smaller provider, local and with ethics and principles that fit with permaculture. At the moment we didn't find anyone that can provide regularly large quantities of these materials, but we will keep looking until we find one.
Around where we live there are large areas of forest from which we can extract free biological resources such as wood, pine cones, tree bark and many other natural elements.
There are also many farms were we can get straw, wool or other materials.
Evaluation
Which is the most appropriate B.H.
To have a better assess of the different b.hotels that I have exposed at my observations, I'll use PMI and think on which type can be the most appropriate to begin in our circumstances.
Looking for a product that fits with our business, taking into account that we want to take advantage of the wooden pole leftovers that we have, that can be made in series, is easy to handle and transport inside our van (vivaro), not expensive to manufacture and have an affordable price for schools.
Once I create a product that works and is practical to make, it is a matter of finding materials suppliers and try to generate the ones we can by our own or recycling, and saving our energy in constantly creating new designs.
PMI
Looking for a product that fits with our business, taking into account that we want to take advantage of the wooden pole leftovers that we have, that can be made in series, is easy to handle and transport inside our van (vivaro), not expensive to manufacture and have an affordable price for schools.
Once I create a product that works and is practical to make, it is a matter of finding materials suppliers and try to generate the ones we can by our own or recycling, and saving our energy in constantly creating new designs.
PMI
Pallets Hotel
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Minus
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Interesting
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Hotel in a frame
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Minus
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Interesting
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Mini Hotels
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Minus
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Interesting
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Huge Hotels
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Minus
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Interesting
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Conclusions
I discard the pallet hotels because I think that are better to sell as a workshop than a product, and they require a large amount of materials. It can be suitable if we can find a free pallet provider.
I'd rather discard the small hotels because already there are many people doing them and have a competition at the marked, specially the ones made in China.
Also I discard the big ones because are not practical to handle, heavy and do not fit in our van.
I think that to me hotels in frame can be a good way to use the wood pole leftovers from other products we make, as many of the poles cuts that now are accumulating on the workshop waiting a chance to be used.
I'd rather discard the small hotels because already there are many people doing them and have a competition at the marked, specially the ones made in China.
Also I discard the big ones because are not practical to handle, heavy and do not fit in our van.
I think that to me hotels in frame can be a good way to use the wood pole leftovers from other products we make, as many of the poles cuts that now are accumulating on the workshop waiting a chance to be used.
Benefits of having a bug Hotel in our lives?
Some insects have not changed in the last few million years and have been living with us since the beginning of our existence, consciously or unconsciously we have created a symbiosis that makes our life in harmony with the ecosystem, and many of them provide great benefits in any natural design that we plan.
I can see that a Bug Hotel is an excellent Appropriate Technology that can be introduced in a natural space to catch and store energy from eradicating harmful insects for our natural systems, and our bugs can obtain a yield converting the problem into a solution. Let's take a look of some beneficial Outputs properties that bugs can offer to create a natural system as our food forest, veg garden or pond. Also if you want to see some of the Inputs that bugs need, take a look to the Maintenance section. |
Bug functions in our garden
As we can see at the above mind map, I have classified some different functions that bugs have inside our natural space or veg garden.
We can be much more successful in our vegetables and fruit trees pollination if we introduce bugs as bees, butterflies, wasp..., also by having insect predators can keep some of our pest under control, as an adult ladybug can devour 80 aphids a day or the green lacewing larvae are a voracious feeder and can consume up to 200 aphids per week.
Many of this bugs will attract other bigger predator creatures to the site, expanding the food chain making the space more reach i diversity.
We can be much more successful in our vegetables and fruit trees pollination if we introduce bugs as bees, butterflies, wasp..., also by having insect predators can keep some of our pest under control, as an adult ladybug can devour 80 aphids a day or the green lacewing larvae are a voracious feeder and can consume up to 200 aphids per week.
Many of this bugs will attract other bigger predator creatures to the site, expanding the food chain making the space more reach i diversity.
Learning benefits
Expand knowledge about:
- Bugs diversity
- Bugs live and functions
- Interrelations between bugs and us
- Interrelations between bugs and the ecosystem
- Deeper level to understand the ecosystem around the school
Online Resources
Benefits of having bugs in our life
UK Other countries
Sector Analysis
Where to place the Bug Hotel
It depends on what type of hotel we choose to make, can have some variations about where and how to locate it. I have made this sector analysis based on the frame hotel (model that I think is more appropriate for this project).
I have been doing research about which can be the best orientation, and most of the information are about bee hive boxes for honey production, so is based on many factors about when they are going in and out of the hive, and how they warm up or cool down the box.
In terms of bees our bug hotel is orientated to solitary bees and they don't use hives, so it will be more important terms of hibernation and hosting environment.
List of sectors to analyse
Location and Orientation
Temperature factors and orientation
British winter can be very cold, especially at the north and snowy areas of the country, so we have to be aware that they will love sun heat during this time.
I have read in forums that the heat excess can melt the bee wax and damage the hole sealant, but I don't think that is that common in uk to get those high temperatures.
Because UK is at the northern hemisphere where the sun dips down in the winter, it definitely shout be south facing or south-east to get the morning sun light, like solitary bees are cold-blooded and rely on the sun's heat to warm them up in the morning.
It is important to keep good temperature at the winter, so we will avoid place it were are frost pockets or direct cold winds at the winter.
Moisture
It is very important that it is located in a dry environment, during the winter persistent wind-blown rain can dissolve the mud walls of the cells, and cause both wooden blocks and cardboard bee tubes to rot, and the young bee pupae will succumb to fungus diseases.
A roof protection will help to protect the hotel from the rain.
As well the frame legs can not be in a place where is flood problems, we need a driest floor possible to keep the frame wood for longer and in better conditions.
Winds
Strong direct winds can deteriorate the composition of elements, and launch flying objects that can collide with it, so especially thinking in the winter, we need to face it where warm and soft winds come from, this way we protect it and keep it dry and warmer.
Beware Birds! (www.foxleas.com)
If you notice Woodpeckers or other birds attacking the tunnels looking for bee larvae, fix a piece of chicken wire across the front of the bee house. This does not seem to deter the bees.
Of all the articles I have read the one I liked the most was the following, which includes a tree to create a better system to protect the hotel. (reddit.com)
<My ideal location for bees is under a large oak tree on a low hill near water with a southern view out over a field of forage. The tree drops leaves in winter giving the hives full winter sun. The tree also stops most weeds from growing making maintenance easier.>
This way the hotel is protected from the strong rain, hail, frost, and full hot sun in summer, letting the low sun heat the hotel in the winter.
It will also be very beneficial to be located in a place that is easy to visit for the students, not only for educational aspect but also to be observed and maintained when it needs.
Further information:
It depends on what type of hotel we choose to make, can have some variations about where and how to locate it. I have made this sector analysis based on the frame hotel (model that I think is more appropriate for this project).
I have been doing research about which can be the best orientation, and most of the information are about bee hive boxes for honey production, so is based on many factors about when they are going in and out of the hive, and how they warm up or cool down the box.
In terms of bees our bug hotel is orientated to solitary bees and they don't use hives, so it will be more important terms of hibernation and hosting environment.
List of sectors to analyse
- Temperature environment
- Winds
- Rain and moisture
- Frost pockets and flood
Location and Orientation
Temperature factors and orientation
British winter can be very cold, especially at the north and snowy areas of the country, so we have to be aware that they will love sun heat during this time.
I have read in forums that the heat excess can melt the bee wax and damage the hole sealant, but I don't think that is that common in uk to get those high temperatures.
Because UK is at the northern hemisphere where the sun dips down in the winter, it definitely shout be south facing or south-east to get the morning sun light, like solitary bees are cold-blooded and rely on the sun's heat to warm them up in the morning.
It is important to keep good temperature at the winter, so we will avoid place it were are frost pockets or direct cold winds at the winter.
Moisture
It is very important that it is located in a dry environment, during the winter persistent wind-blown rain can dissolve the mud walls of the cells, and cause both wooden blocks and cardboard bee tubes to rot, and the young bee pupae will succumb to fungus diseases.
A roof protection will help to protect the hotel from the rain.
As well the frame legs can not be in a place where is flood problems, we need a driest floor possible to keep the frame wood for longer and in better conditions.
Winds
Strong direct winds can deteriorate the composition of elements, and launch flying objects that can collide with it, so especially thinking in the winter, we need to face it where warm and soft winds come from, this way we protect it and keep it dry and warmer.
Beware Birds! (www.foxleas.com)
If you notice Woodpeckers or other birds attacking the tunnels looking for bee larvae, fix a piece of chicken wire across the front of the bee house. This does not seem to deter the bees.
Of all the articles I have read the one I liked the most was the following, which includes a tree to create a better system to protect the hotel. (reddit.com)
<My ideal location for bees is under a large oak tree on a low hill near water with a southern view out over a field of forage. The tree drops leaves in winter giving the hives full winter sun. The tree also stops most weeds from growing making maintenance easier.>
This way the hotel is protected from the strong rain, hail, frost, and full hot sun in summer, letting the low sun heat the hotel in the winter.
It will also be very beneficial to be located in a place that is easy to visit for the students, not only for educational aspect but also to be observed and maintained when it needs.
Further information:
Functional Analysis of Elements
The images below expose the relationship between various elements that I think are very interconnected, starting with Organic Playgrounds (our company) communicating with the School Administration to offer the Bug Hotel, and the school who employs our service.
The administration is the centre that directs connections between elements (not all schools have all items below), they can offer to the students the possibility of having a Bug Hotel at the school that will benefit the apprentices with the experience and knowledge. The hotel can be applied to benefit the school forest or veg garden in terms of pest control, pollination, decomposition ... as a small aquifer from which fish and amphibians can draw on the proliferation of some of the hotel guests, making while increase the amount of nutrients to enrich the aquatic system vegetation, and so on accelerating succession and evolution.
If the administration also provide the students with a library which has good information about bugs and ecosystems, all this knowledge can be applied in benefit of all the elements around.
The administration is the centre that directs connections between elements (not all schools have all items below), they can offer to the students the possibility of having a Bug Hotel at the school that will benefit the apprentices with the experience and knowledge. The hotel can be applied to benefit the school forest or veg garden in terms of pest control, pollination, decomposition ... as a small aquifer from which fish and amphibians can draw on the proliferation of some of the hotel guests, making while increase the amount of nutrients to enrich the aquatic system vegetation, and so on accelerating succession and evolution.
If the administration also provide the students with a library which has good information about bugs and ecosystems, all this knowledge can be applied in benefit of all the elements around.
Relative Location
Zone Analysis
So, where's the best location to set a bug hotel?
I want to use this zone analysis to think about which zones could be more appropriate to place a bug hotel (based on my thoughts about how could be an ideal school and fitting with the government regulations).
A bug hotel is a Zone 5 itself but is a clear example of how to place a zone 5 in an appropriate area of a zone 1. There are also appropriate places to locate a bug hotel in zones 2 and 3.
I want to use this zone analysis to think about which zones could be more appropriate to place a bug hotel (based on my thoughts about how could be an ideal school and fitting with the government regulations).
A bug hotel is a Zone 5 itself but is a clear example of how to place a zone 5 in an appropriate area of a zone 1. There are also appropriate places to locate a bug hotel in zones 2 and 3.
Zone 0
School class room
Not appropriate, it is too close to students so it can be disturbing for the students. It needs to be in a open space, but it can be planted aromatic plants all around the building, especially with herbs next to the kitchen. Zone 1Play grounds
Not appropriate, place with too much daily kids activity, disturbing between bugs and students... Around the edges can be breackfast spaces. I have located this zone around the classroom to be more practical to move the pupils in and out of the class room when it's their play time. Garden beds
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But in my experience I have observed that no one stays in there, it is more like a place to pass through where people pass quite fast and anyone pay much attention, more than letting their children leave as soon as possible to go home or work ..., so the time that people expend in there is very short and most of the time is empty and without anyone.
Then in terms of visit it is like a zone 1, but in terms of work intensity or production I think it is much less, so if the intention is to benefit the school ecosystem or food production this area can be considered as zone 2 with low maintenance perennials.
Then in terms of visit it is like a zone 1, but in terms of work intensity or production I think it is much less, so if the intention is to benefit the school ecosystem or food production this area can be considered as zone 2 with low maintenance perennials.
Zone 2
Appropriate, Here you can locate the school food forest, small animals (Chiken, ducks, goose), small aquaculture system, etc ...
It is also a good place to have outdoor dinner, fire camps, and some fruit trees for kids to breakfast or sports snack.
Here can be meditation areas for kids that want to be quiet, but in this case a bug hotel must be located a bit far from it.
I think that on the edge of the path that goes from the school entrance to the classroom building, it is daily transited and althought it is not very practical to work in there, could have berries and other perennial plants that can be harvested from the pupils on the way to class.
Here can be meditation areas for kids that want to be quiet, but in this case a bug hotel must be located a bit far from it.
I think that on the edge of the path that goes from the school entrance to the classroom building, it is daily transited and althought it is not very practical to work in there, could have berries and other perennial plants that can be harvested from the pupils on the way to class.
Zone 3
Larger crops
Appropriate, In Permaculture land site zone 3 is related to large farming crops or animal rotation, but it's a shame that most of schools don't have much interest in integrating large crops to meet their own food needs. I think that every school should plant they own food as much as they can, and have some easy large crops, and a big number of fruit trees diversity to full-fit some of the students nutritional needs.
Sport camp and Parking line
Not appropriate
This zone is defined as the place that is still a managed productive zone, but not as intensitively visited and managed, so I think that here could be included the large sport caps and the parking site.
Appropriate, In Permaculture land site zone 3 is related to large farming crops or animal rotation, but it's a shame that most of schools don't have much interest in integrating large crops to meet their own food needs. I think that every school should plant they own food as much as they can, and have some easy large crops, and a big number of fruit trees diversity to full-fit some of the students nutritional needs.
Sport camp and Parking line
Not appropriate
This zone is defined as the place that is still a managed productive zone, but not as intensitively visited and managed, so I think that here could be included the large sport caps and the parking site.
Zone 4It could go in here but I don't think it is the best location for a bug hotel.
Here is a good place to run mycelium and mushrooms, timber, and do outdoor classes, theatre, adventure sports and forest activities. A nice place to create animal refuges and larger ponds to atract migratory birds and little mamals. Zone 5Wild area
Not appropriate, with no human interaction, for observation only, let's let nature make its own way. An amazing area where to learn about biology, geography, natural cience by doing trips around and descovering and understanding nature. |
Common School Zones
Unfortunately not all the schools give enough importance to have integrated zone 5 as a forest or wild zones within their premises, some of them have no much choice because they are in a small space inside the city without room for it.
I have visited many schools and there is a big diversity of them, some ones have surprised me with the teachers motivation, by focusing most of activities in wild outdoors into the school perimeter, and others that almost the entire surface is covered by concrete. But most of the schools I have visited especially the rural ones, have enough space to make room for the five areas mentioned in the analysis, normally have a big playground and inside or near by are little areas as a veg garden or forest with a tiny wild area. In the case of a common urban school as you see at the picture, I think that the most suitable place to locate a bug hotel will be inside Zone 2, as the area with more natural elements to interact with it. |
I have diferenciated to spaces in Zone 1, these are the playground and the veg garden.