Bugs Have Pollen in Love With Nashville's Newest Hotel

Nashville’s queen bees and social butterflies are staying in style at WM’s award-winning insect hotel.

WM Southern Services Landfill in Nashville is proud to receive one of the Wildlife Habitat Council's 2023 Insect Hotel Construction Awards. This hotel that has the whole town buzzing is modeled after Nashville's AT&T Tower, also known as the "Batman Building.” The sustainable habitat includes natural elements that attract guests like bees, butterflies, wasps and beetles.

"We are thrilled to receive this recognition for our insect hotel," stated Kerrington Howard, who helped lead the project. "This award is a win for the environment and the beneficial insects that will find a safe haven in our hotel. We believe small actions make a big difference, and this insect hotel is one of the steps WM is taking to further its commitment toward biodiversity and a more sustainable future.”

Insects are a vital part of our ecosystem and each have their own role in making our plants, food, and animal kingdom thrive. An estimated 75% of the world's food crops depend at least in part on pollination from insects like bees, butterflies, and wasps.

Unfortunately, 2 million species of insects are in danger of extinction. Insects are essential to our existence and they need our help. As many insects may find themselves homeless this winter due to deforestation and construction, it is easy to help make sure these beneficial creatures have a place to comb and safely hibernate until spring.

While insect hotels are available for purchase online, making your own out of recyclable materials can help contribute to a more sustainable future and bring unique creativity to your community!

Five Tips for Building An Insect Hotel

  1. Find a shaded area that is close to a garden or a wooded area to place your insect hotel.
  2. Use recycled material like cardboard boxes, plastic bottles, and untreated wood for the bones of the building.
  3. Mimic the insects natural habitats with pine cones, small rocks, sticks, logs, and leaves to attract different species:
    • Solitary bees like to nest in hollow stems for the winter - you can also drill holes into a piece of bamboo or wood for them to curl up in.
    • Ladybugs will pack together in a large group in dry plant materials like leaves and sticks.
    • Certain species of beetles are attracted to dead wood material and will hibernate in and underneath it for warmth.
    • Spiders, centipedes, and other types of beetles will hunker down under a loose bark cover.
  4. Add a roof to ensure that their hotel rooms don’t get washed away in the rain by using old shingles, stones, and tile.
    • You can also create a “living roof” by adding gritty soil and some wildflower seeds so that the insects have a place to grow and thrive.
  5. Sit back and watch (from a safe distance) as your insect hotel comes to life with visitors!