Butterfly Feeders

Butterflies, with their multicolored, ornamented wings add a touch of spectacular beauty to any garden. These little critters are attracted to sunny and bright settings and enjoy flittering around trees, mostly flowers. They feed from the nectar that is naturally found inside the flowers with the use of their long, slender tongue. A staple source of moisture or water is all they need to survive and stay healthy.

Sunlight is another important aspect for the well being and health of the butterflies. They are exceedingly sensitive to temperature and would be at their best when the temperature is at least 80 degrees centigrade or even higher. However, although warm temperatures are critically important to these lovely insects, they too will need a shelter when Mr. Sun is at its hottest.

If you are amongst the fortunate ones to have a fruit orchard or a flower garden, there is no doubt that you will be visited by butterflies. Nectar is not the only type of food that butterflies would look for. They also find decaying fruit, rotting vegetation, and animal waste (feces) appetizing. Try to take a walk along the meadows during summer or spring and you will then see flocks of butterflies gently hovering upon animal poops, rotted, soggy fruits on the ground just underneath the trees.

However, if you are an enthusiast of these insects, of course you wouldn’t want to use these things to attract them to your yard, right? There is a simple item that can draw the attention of these beautiful creatures and they are called butterfly feeders. And you know what the greater news is? These butterfly feeders can be made out of the items mostly found just around your house.

Building A Butterfly Feeder

Plate Feeder

This type of butterfly feeder is the easiest kind to make. You will only need a plate, a dish, or even an old ice cream plastic lid. You would also need strings to suspend and make a hanger out of your plate. For plastic lids, you can just punch holes on the sides to tie the strings firmly. However, if you are using a ceramic or glass plate, you can just make use of tapes. Embellish the strings with leaves and artificial flowers to make them more appealing to the butterflies. Be sure to hang you plate over a tree or along with the plants before adding over ripe fruits and vegetables.

And lastly, always be sure to position the plate at a certain angle that is well visible from your porch. Now, all you have to do is sit back and take pleasure in watching as the butterflies dig in for the tasty treats.

Jar Feeder

Jar butterfly feeders are far more complicated to make than the first one mentioned. For this craft you will need a small jar or glass, a kitchen sponge or cotton (or other absorbent material), strings, homemade butterfly nectars (10 parts water 1 part sugar, boiled and chilled), plus any optional decorations.

Punch a small hole in the lid of the jar using a small nail and a hammer. Cut a portion of the sponge or cotton and pull it through the small hole you just made. It should be a tight fit. The sponge should be soaked with the sugar-water concoction, however, it should no be dipped. Use the strings and tie it around the jar to make a hanger, and then fill the jar with the sugar water upside-down. Decorate the jar with leaves and flowers or with anything brightly colored and then hang unto trees of branches. The butterflies will feed on the juice from the sponge.

Making your own butterfly feeders is just like building a bridge between you and these amazing insects. Plus, it is a great art craft just in case you’re bored!