Bug House

Quick DIY Bug House.

Got kids that love bugs?  We are learning about bugs in our 4-H Club this year and what a better way to learn about a bug then to watch it in action.  

Want to make a bug house for some fun bug watching check out my how to instructions below.

 

First thing you will need is to get all your supplies together.
Screwdriver
Drill and bit
Jig saw
Hand saw
Stapler and Staples
Plywood (I used 3/4 inch)
Luan Board 1/4 inch
1 inch dowel
Screws
Screen
Rope
Hinges
*There are 2 options for a door on your bug house so I have included the supplies for both, if you choose a screw door like above you can omit the hinges from your supplies but you will need to add the wood screws in the 2nd photo.

Step 1.
Once you have decided the design and size you want your bug house you will need to cut out your pieces.  My bug house is 4 1/2 inches wide by 14 inches long by 7 inches tall but depending on what size you will need/want you can adjust measurements to fit your needs.
I just took a 4 1/2 strip off the plywood and then measured and cut it out to 26 inches long.  I then marked out the pieces by rounding the ends and measuring in 6 inches to make my end pieces.
Before you cut out and assemble the boards you will need to mark out and cut out your door way.  Cutting the hole first allows you more space and stability of the board.  To make your door opening dill a hole in it to start your jig saw and then just cut it out.
Cut across the board on the now marked 6 inch lines thus giving you the 3 pieces above.

*So I'm not going to lie I basically designed my bug house around a piece of scrap plywood we already had on hand and the door is made using Luan board we also already had so that is how I ended up with the measurements I used.  Yours can be what every shape/size you need.

Step 2
Attach your pieces as pictured above.  I used just 4 drywall screws (1 5/8 inch) up from the bottom to attach the end pieces as my house is only 4 and half inches wide.  If  you are making a wider house you will probably need more screws.

Step 3
Measure and cut your dowel the distance from the inside of the end pieces.  Be sure to square up your ends to get the proper distance.

Step 4
I used drywall screws to attach the dowel inside the ends. You may want to predrill the holes so not to split the dowel.
The purpose of the dowel is to help support the frame and screen once completed.  It is not intended as a handle so you could use a piece of plywood if you didn't want to purchase a dowel.

Step 5
Attach your door.  I chose a door that swings from side to side but you may want a hinge type door the choice is yours.  If you do choose the swing door you will need to drill the hole in your door a bit bigger then the screw you are using so the door swings freely on the screw.I used the screws and drill bit in the 2nd supply photo.

 

Step 6
Using a Stapler attach your screen.  Make sure to fold your screen under for durability and it will help keep any bugs from escaping.

Step 7
Attach your rope handle for easy carrying when you are bug catching.
Put a knot in each end of your rope so that it does not slip off and then staple it to your house.

And there you have it, a grand bug house for watching and learning all about bugs.

So we made these in our 4-H Club but unfortunately the seasonal timing was off for learning about bugs as its early March in Upstate NY and we are in the middle of back to back Noreasters (heavy snow storms) that is going to leave us with about 2 1/2 to 3 feet of snow on the ground so we don't have bugs out yet but we will soon enough and we will be ready when we do.  While we wait on bugs to come out of their winter resting places we decided to use our bug houses to make Leprechaun Traps, be sure to see all the creative ideas the kids had on our Team Clover 4-H Club page.