How to Build a Butterfly House

Butterfly houses make a great addition to your home garden.  Not only do they provide butterflies with shelter from predators and bad weather, but they also add an eye-catching and lively element to your garden. Want to learn how to build a butterfly house?  Here's what you need to know. 

The nuts and bolts

Butterfly houses look similar to bird houses.  They are usually made out of wood and painted with bright colors, which are said to serve as an attraction. Try a house with a hinged door so that you can place flowers and bark inside.

In order to build a butterfly house, all you need is wood, nuts, bolts, a saw, and a hammer. For exact dimensions and thorough directions, you can find butterfly house plans and kits on the internet.  This is the best way to find a free butterfly house plan.

All things unique

There are two distinct features that make a small butterfly house different than a bird house. First, butterfly houses have different entrance structures.  Unlike a bird house, which often has an entrance in the shape of a hole, butterfly houses use thin openings, which are several inches in length, and only a centimeter or two wide.  This ensures that birds and other animals can't get in!

The second thing that makes a butterfly house unique is the interior. Place a few slabs of bark near the back of the house in a vertical position.  This will give the butterflies something to cling to, and will provide additional shelter.   

Outside the house

Once you have built your butterfly house and painted it, you'll want to place it in an area that
contains butterfly-attracting plants, particularly those that have flower nectar.  You can also place a small dish of sugar water inside, or on the ground beneath your butterfly house. Mount your house on a pole or tree four feet or more off the ground.  Try to place it in an area that is sheltered from the wind.

A word of caution

Many horticulturists say that, for the most part, butterflies are not too keen on using houses.  Don't let that discourage you!  Even if your butterfly house goes unused, it still makes a lovely addition to your garden. 

Decorative and inviting, bird houses are a common accessory to backyard decor.  Selecting houses depends on several key factors including species and climate.  The following article will help explain what types of nests our feather friends prefer…       

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