Build ladybirds a home
Create a safe and warm home for ladybirds, whether in your garden or in a community space.
Last edited: 11/04/2025
Before you get started
Why this is important
Ladybirds are not just lovely to look at, they’re also great garden helpers! They eat aphids and other pests that damage plants. In colder months, they need a safe place to hibernate. By building a ladybird home, you can help protect them while creating a fun, hands-on learning experience.
Supporting documents
Duke of Edinburgh Worksheet [3 hours]
Instructions
Creating a home for ladybirds
Scavenger hunt
Before you start, think about what materials ladybirds might like. Look around your home or garden. What natural items could provide shelter? Some ideas:
- Logs or branches – Could drilling small holes into them make good hiding spots?
- Pine cones and twigs – How might these create nooks for ladybirds to tuck into?
- Straw or dried leaves – Would these keep ladybirds warm in winter?
- Old plant pots or wooden boxes – Could these be turned into little ladybird houses?
See what you can find!
Using logs and branches
Stack logs or small branches in a quiet part of the garden.
If you have a drill (and an adult to help), make some small holes in the wood for ladybirds to crawl into.
Upcycle materials
Got an old plant pot, teapot, or even a small wooden box?
Fill it with natural materials like pine cones, straw, or twigs.
Benefits for ladybirds
Are you happy with what you built?
What skills did you learn?
Do you think ladybirds will feel safer in cold weather as a result of your work?
celebrate your achievement
Together, We’re Making an Impact
Upload a photo of your ladybird home, and we’ll add +1 to our impact counter - showing how many of you are making a collective difference.