Bug hotel mount in Exeter
Professional bug hotel mount services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60
Typical Duration
20-30 mins
Location
Exeter, Devon
Bug hotel mounted securely in the ideal garden location. Proper positioning and fixing to attract solitary bees, ladybirds, and beneficial insects - boost your garden's natural pest control.
Give Garden Helpers a Home
Your garden is full of helpful insects - solitary bees pollinating flowers, ladybirds eating aphids, lacewings controlling pests. But modern gardens often lack the natural habitats these insects need.
A bug hotel provides nesting sites, hibernation spots, and shelter. But like any hotel, location is everything. Wrong spot and it stays empty. Right spot and you'll have year-round residents doing brilliant work in your garden.
💡 Pro tip: Bug hotels work best near flowering plants - gives resident bees and other pollinators an immediate food source. Position near your vegetable patch or flower beds for maximum benefit.
Why Placement Matters
Here's what makes the difference between a bustling bug hotel and an empty one:
| ✅ Done Right | ❌ Done Wrong |
|---|---|
| South/east-facing for warmth | North-facing, too cold |
| Sheltered from wind and rain | Exposed, gets waterlogged |
| Near flowering plants | Miles from any nectar |
| Securely mounted to last | Falls off wall in wind |
What You Get
🔧 The Service
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Assessment | Best position identified for insect activity |
| Mounting | Hotel secured to wall/fence/tree properly |
| Positioning | Height and angle optimised |
| Advice | Tips on maintaining and monitoring your bug hotel |
📦 You're Left With
- Bug hotel securely mounted
- Ideal orientation for insects
- Sheltered position
- Ready for residents
Pricing Guide
Simple fixed price for bug hotel mounting:
| Scenario | Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Wall or fence mounted bug hotel | 20-30 mins | £60 |
| Tree mounting (specialist fixings) | 30-45 mins | £60 |
| Large standing bug hotel (ground placement) | 30-45 mins | £60 |
Based on £60 minimum. Most bug hotel installations are quick jobs.
Perfect For Your Project If...
✅ Wildlife gardening - support pollinators and beneficial insects
✅ Organic growing - natural pest control helpers
✅ Family education - teach kids about garden biodiversity
✅ Eco-conscious gardening - boost garden ecosystem health
Why Choose Us for Bug hotel mount in Exeter?
Securely mounted to last years
Correct height and orientation
Sheltered position for insects
Advice on attracting beneficial bugs
What to Expect
Step 1: Site Assessment
I'll check your garden for the ideal spot - south or east-facing, sheltered from prevailing wind and rain, near flowering plants if possible, and at a good viewing height so you can observe residents.
Step 2: Secure Mounting
Using appropriate fixings for the surface (masonry, wood, or tree-safe straps), I mount the bug hotel securely. Needs to stay put for years through all weather.
Step 3: Final Positioning & Advice
Check angle and height are right, ensure it's stable, then quick chat about what insects to expect, how to maintain it (minimal!), and how to spot residents moving in.
🔧 DIY Tips
Want to mount a bug hotel yourself? Here's how:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Drill and appropriate drill bits
- Wall plugs and screws (for masonry/wood)
- Spirit level
- Screwdriver
- Tree straps if mounting on trees
📍 Choosing the spot
- South or east-facing (warmth and morning sun)
- 1-2m off ground (good insect height)
- Sheltered from wind and rain
- Near flowering plants (food source for bees)
- Visible from house (you'll enjoy watching!)
🔨 Wall mounting
- Mark position with spirit level
- Drill into brick/stone (not just mortar)
- Insert wall plugs firmly
- Screw bug hotel on securely
- Check it doesn't wobble
🪵 Fence mounting
- Use wood screws directly into fence posts
- Check fence is sturdy enough
- Position where fence is well-supported
- Avoid wobbly panel edges
🌳 Tree mounting
- Use tree-friendly straps, NOT screws
- Choose mature, stable tree
- Attach to trunk, not branches
- Leave room for tree growth
⚠️ Common mistakes
- North-facing position (too cold for insects)
- Exposed to rain (materials get waterlogged)
- Too high or too low (insects have height preferences)
- Unstable mounting (falls off)
💡 Pro trick: Tilt bug hotels slightly forward (5-10 degrees) - helps rain run off rather than soaking into the nesting materials. Also face away from prevailing wind.
🐝 What to expect
- Solitary bees (spring/summer)
- Ladybirds hibernating (autumn/winter)
- Lacewings (summer)
- Various beetles and spiders
- Sometimes earwigs (they eat aphids!)
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🐝 No bees yet? Don't panic - it can take a season for insects to discover your bug hotel. They prefer established locations, so patience pays off. Keep the hotel in place year-round.
Bug hotels need minimal maintenance - just check annually that materials haven't gone mouldy or compacted, and clear any spider webs from entrance holes in spring (so bees can move in).
Different materials attract different insects - bamboo canes and drilled wood for solitary bees, pine cones for ladybirds, corrugated cardboard for lacewings, loose bark for beetles. Mixed-material hotels get the most biodiversity.
Devon's wildlife gardeners are increasingly using bug hotels to support declining pollinator populations. Even small gardens in Exeter can make a difference - solitary bees like red mason bees are brilliant pollinators and completely harmless (they don't sting).
Frequently Asked Questions
What's a bug hotel for?
It provides nesting and hibernation sites for beneficial insects - solitary bees, ladybirds, lacewings, beetles, and more. These insects pollinate flowers, control pests like aphids, and support garden biodiversity. Basically you're giving them a home in exchange for free garden help.
Where should a bug hotel be mounted?
South or east-facing position, sheltered from wind and rain, ideally 1-2m off the ground. Near flowering plants is brilliant for bees. I'll assess your garden and suggest the best spot based on what insects you want to attract.
Can you mount bug hotels on walls, fences, or trees?
All three work - walls are most stable, fences are fine if sturdy enough, trees need appropriate fixings that don't damage the bark. I'll use the right method for your chosen surface and make sure it's secure.
Do I need to buy the bug hotel first?
Yes - they come in all shapes and sizes, from small wall-mounted boxes to large standing structures. Once you've got yours, I'll mount it properly in the ideal spot. I can advise on which type suits your garden if you're still choosing.
Will insects definitely use it?
Can't guarantee nature, but correct placement dramatically improves your chances. South-facing, near flowers, sheltered from rain, filled with appropriate materials - do those right and you'll see residents. Sometimes takes a season for insects to discover it.
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