BUILD A BUG HOTEL

Cut old bamboo canes or the woody stems of perennials to about 20cm long, pack into a terracotta pot (or use a hollow bamboo cane), and lie it on its side in a sheltered spot for solitary bees to rest in. Ladybirds and some beetles prefer pots of straw or dry leaves, while a container filled with rolled-up corrugated card will encourage lacewings. A little loose bark is good for centipedes, spiders and woodlice. You could incorporate all these elements for the ultimate ‘hotel’.