Listening to the lazy buzz of bees and gentle hum of winged visitors among the flowers while you relax in your garden is one of the delights of spring and summer. And there are many ways you can encourage more wildlife into your garden, including giving them a cosy place to hunker down when they're not busy in your garden promoting pollination and munching on pests. When it comes to chic cribs for critters, we've got you and your garden guests covered...
Shop our pick of stylish wildlife houses
Buzzworthy lodgings
gardenwildlife.com
Description
A modern take on the traditional style skeps used for managing bees in the early days of
High ball
www.greenandblue.co.uk
Description
Hang from a branch or wall mount for safe nesting for a variety of tits. Dia18cm.
Cosy cocoon
spana.org
Description
Lovingly crafted by female artisans in Bangladesh from recycled sari fabric, this colourful nester
Hive hotel
www.vidaxl.co.uk
Description
Give wild bees, digger wasps and mason bees the five-star treatment with this partly varnished
Designer digs
www.rhsplants.co.uk
Description
Bury in a quiet sheltered spot, pile around leaves and short grass, and hogs will soon move into
Quirky quarters
www.tompress.co.uk
Description
Ooh la la, filled with hay, dead leaves, nettles or straw, this French-made shelter will keep
Bat cave
www.arkwildlife.co.uk
Description
Snacking on flies, mosquitoes and other bugs, bats are guests we’re more than happy to share our
Ladies room
www.keengardener.co.uk
Description
Layer with leaves, and aphid-loving ladybirds will be queuing up to hibernate in this weatherproof
Potty pad
www.vinehousefarm.co.uk
Description
Place this frost-resistant ceramic house in shade close to a pond or damp area and pest-eating
Home from home
Description
Non-swarming summer-flower-pollinating solitary bees will love nesting in these honeycomb-shaped