REVISED - BUG - INSECT HOTEL with Shroud

Introduction (for revision see bottom of document)
The (Bug-Insect) Hotel. You can use all of the Prusament filament Spool and all of the cardboard box it came in, along with a load more upcycled products.
 
Parts required
The bug hotel needs two semi-circular shells to put inside the Prusament spool, the shells once filled with desired materials can be tied in place. There are holes in the shells to tie in place, zip ties are simple and great for this (any Prusa spares?), string, twine or wool will also do the job.
The centre hole of the spool needs a small solid disc at the back, so you can add more material in the centre section. Then close the centre with a honeycomb disc at the front. Keep using those ties or a couple of small M4 bolts that can be tapped using your fingers into the Prusament Spool, see appropriate holes in the photograph attached..
If you suspend the spool from a tree or other object then a large plastic tie (or several smaller ones attached together), through the front and back section at the top of the of the spool can be used.
If the Bug Hotel is to be attached to a solid object such as a south facing wall I have provided a small printed tab on each shell that will take an assortment of nails or screws.

I have created three semi-circular shells for you to chose from, depending on what habitat material you are using and how much you have got. These have one, two and three sections respectively.

Only having a single extruder setup at the moment I created the two colour hotel sign by using PrusaSlicer changing colours at layer 8 and changing back to the original colour at layer 14, as I did not want the bottom lip for gluing yellow.

The best material to print with has got to be PETG with its thermal resistance.
The Prusament spool adds strength and support to the shells so I have printed them only 1mm thick, quality is not important so I printed using layers 0.3mm draft.
No support is required to print these items.
The two-section semi-circular shell took 2hrs 40 mins to print with my settings and I am happy with the quality. (I’m sure you could print faster if you use face shield settings)

After using the Bug-Insect Hotel for a while and several heavy downpours I noticed that rain water would collected over the hexagons at the front. Therefore I created a shroud 1.5mm thick and 30mm in depth, which I have printed at 0.3mm draft layer height in PETG.
At the bottom of the shroud I have decreased the depth and put a small hole for any residual water to fall away.

The Bug Hotel
A series of printed compartments in the spool helps to provide a waterproof house for the insects and the ability to use different materials in each compartment, this will add diversity in what type of creatures will be attracted to your hotel!
The small size of the honeycomb in the Prusament spools allows small insects to enter into the hotel, keeping larger animals from preying on them. Different creatures like different habitats therefore having more than one type of habitat will increase the chance of filling the hotel.
The card board box can be rolled up leaving gaps for the creatures to nest in.
Depending on where you reside you could have creatures that will use the hotel all year round others could be seasonal. If you find one material does not work for you, don’t worry you can change just that one habitat and leave the other creatures in peace in the other habitats.
Below is a list of possible habitats although you may have ideas for other materials that will be great habitats.
old broken tiles, stones, slate chippings, small logs - drilled holes, bamboo, small bricks, plastic bottles, straws, pine cones, twigs, dried grass, you may even be able to use some of your scrap 3D prints, (a Benchy or two!)
I have one proviso at this stage. Be careful of using chemically treated materials as they may be poisonous for small creatures.

Why
Its alright telling you how you can make a bug/insect hotel but why?
You can buy bug hotels, from a number of websites and can be quite expensive. Why when making one is FREE and fun!.
With Farmers more and more looking at higher yields from there land it means they are turning to chemicals that has an adverse effect on the surrounding land and creatures.
So having a bug hotel will help to supplement the increasing loss of natural habitat.
We already recognise that different creatures help in nature to control pests.
The creatures you are protecting are great for pollinating gardens, allotments or orchards.

Also an educational tool
It is educational for all ages helping to identify the amount of diversity that can be around and not previously seen.
It offers an opportunity for educating children about how a balanced ecosystem works.
The bug hotel can be used by creatures as a nest, depositing eggs or hibernating.
Creatures drawn to the hotel will help to stimulate biodiversity and ecological balance in the garden

Watch what happens at different times of the day, identify the creatures that are living in the hotel.

Where to position them
Different creatures will like there hotel directly facing south ( northern hemisphere) so the sun will warm the hotel and then the creatures., or facing west if they are likely to come out later in the day, there is nothing wrong with trying in the shade, bushes a wall , tree or near water such as a garden pond.
Try different heights and see what happens to your Prusament Bug Hotel. The most suggested height is about a metre from the ground.
If you are successful or enjoy creating hotels you don’t have to stop at one!

Where now
I have got inspiration from a number of sites, if you are interest in getting some more ideas yourself you can look at these links, no affiliation.

https://www.urbangardensweb.com/2016/02/27/how-to-design-a-bug-hotel-to-attract-beneficial-insects-and-bees/

https://www.rspb.org.uk/get-involved/activities/give-nature-a-home-in-your-garden/garden-activities/build-a-bug-hotel/

https://www.redtedart.com/simple-bug-hotel-for-kids/

I am a great believer in upcycling. See one of my previous projects using Transparent ‘Pringle’ Lids on an assortment of 3D containers I designed large and small. https://www.prusaprinters.org/prints/29213-one-lid-for-all-upcycle-free-lid

HAVE FUN

REVISION

My original print covered holding the centre section in place using plastic ties or nuts that would be spare parts from the PRUSA supplies, provided with a PRUSA 3D printer

However,  a reviewer of my print stated I should consider enhancing the print by removing the bolts. 

So I did!

I have created a centre section that holds itself in place by printing it with two probes that fit through the honeycomb holes - still in PETG.

There are two probes on the centre section that have a larger diameter compared to the honeycomb holes. However, they are split down the middle so they can fit through the holes with a firm hand, before springing back to the larger size. 

So thank you for the reviewer who made me take a closer look at at my model.

I am always open to others ideas or opinions.

Print instructions

The best material to print with has got to be PETG with its thermal resistance.

The Prusament spool adds strength and support to the shells so I have printed them only 1mm thick, quality is not important so I printed using layers 0.3mm draft.
No support is required to print these items.
The two-section semi-circular shell took 2hrs 40 mins to print with my settings and I am happy with the quality. (I’m sure you could print faster if you use face shield settings)
After using the Bug-Insect Hotel for a while and several heavy downpours I noticed that rain water would collected over the hexagons at the front. Therefore I created a shroud 1.5mm thick and 30mm in depth, which I have printed at 0.3mm draft layer height in PETG.