Creating Your Own Butterfly Feeder: Two Approaches to Consider
DIY Butterfly Feeder: A Budget-Friendly Solution to Attract Butterflies
Are you looking for an easy and cost-effective way to attract butterflies to your garden? Look no further! This DIY butterfly feeder is perfect for creating a natural habitat that encourages pollination.
Materials Needed - Shallow dish or plate (ceramic, terracotta, or plastic) - Jar with lid (glass or plastic) - Yarn, string, or garden twine (about 18 inches long) - Very ripe fruit (such as oranges, bananas, or watermelon) - Sugar and water (optional, for making nectar solution) - Tool to punch holes (awl, nail, or hammer)
Steps
- Punch holes near the edge of the shallow plate or lid for hanging.
- Tie each piece of yarn or twine through the holes to create a hanger.
- Slice very ripe or overripe fruit into small pieces.
- If using a jar, punch a small hole in the lid. Fill the jar with sugar water nectar (made by boiling sugar and water, then cooling) or place fruit pieces inside.
- Hang the plate feeder from a tree branch in a shady spot or place it on a flat elevated surface near flowers.
- Place the fruit on the plate or the nectar-filled jar on the plate. You can also add bright sponges or beads to mimic flowers and help butterflies land.
- Check the feeder often, replace fruit when it dries out or molds, or replenish nectar as needed.
Precautions - Avoid using pesticides or chemicals near the feeder to not harm butterflies. - Change fruit frequently to prevent mold buildup which can be harmful. - Place feeder in a shaded spot to prevent nectar from spoiling quickly. - Make sure the feeder is stable and safely hung to avoid spills or falling.
Additional Tips - If you have problems with ants, apply petroleum jelly to the rim of the jar to create a barrier they will avoid. - When inverted, the sugar water will saturate the sponge in the lid. - If you have trouble with wasps, add slices of cucumber to the jar. Cucumbers are a natural wasp repellant and can also work to repel ants. - Glue additional silk flowers at other points on the jar or along the strings.
By following these simple steps, you can create a beautiful and effective butterfly feeder that will help support these fascinating creatures in your garden. Happy crafting!
[1] Source: Butterfly Conservation (www.butterfly-conservation.org) [3] Source: National Wildlife Federation (www.nwf.org)
In this DIY butterfly feeder project, aside from the butterflies, it can also attract home-and-garden enthusiasts who wish to create a middle ground between their garden and home-and-gardening lifestyle, providing a natural habitat that encourages pollination. Gardening hobbyists might find this garden project appealing, offering them a hands-on opportunity to nurture and help support butterflies in their own home-and-garden environment.
