A local company is giving back to the community by building bug hotels from recycled materials sourced from their depot.
Employees from Milestone Infrastructure constructed the bug hotels, a structure which provides shelter for insects, in the churchyard at Edington Church and an orchard in Bratton earlier this month.
“Bug hotels can support local populations of insects, which are in sharp decline in the UK,” said Ellie Harrison, the environment and carbon advisor for Milestone. “They provide a safe space for bugs, including pollinators and pest predators, to shelter. They can also benefit other species such as hedgehogs, birds and reptiles.”
Each month, Milestone, which has a depot near Melksham, plans to build bug hotels in different locations throughout Wiltshire using old materials from their depots, ensuring this venture is as sustainable and environmentally friendly as possible.
“I’m delighted that we have been able to begin our planned rollout of bug hotels throughout the county starting with Edington and Bratton,” said the company’s social value and communications advisor, Tom Price. “These bug hotels will help a massive variety of insects, mammals, reptiles, birds and amphibians who are all vital for our countryside.
“Local populations of pollinators are in sharp decline and we at Milestone will work to combat this. These bug hotels are only one of many ways we are working to help increase our biodiversity here in Wiltshire. We also manage over 50 protected road verges and built bat boxes for a local charity earlier this year.”
