Q&A for How to Build a Butterfly House

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Is milkweed good for butterflies?

Community Answer

It is the main food source for monarch butterflies, but for others it is poisonous.

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Is there a way to make a "butterfly house" without wood or screen?

Community Answer

You could use a different material for the structure, but you need the screen so you can see in and the butterflies can breathe.

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Question

What if I live in las vegas?

Community Answer

The same rules for building a butterfly house apply to all locations.

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Question

Is it possible to resuscitate butterflies using mouth to mouth?

Community Answer

No, that will likely cause more damage to the insect.

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Question

Will a painted wooden butterfly house harm the butterflies?

Community Answer

No, it shouldn't hurt them at all.

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Question

What is the prettiest butterfly?

Community Answer

In my opinion it is the Blue Morpho Butterfly. There are other pretty butterflies, such as Ulysses butterfly (Blue Mountain Swallowtail), Zebra Swallowtail, Peacock butterfly, Goliath Birdwing and Question Mark butterfly.

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Question

Can I use 1" x 4' wood?

Community Answer

Yes, that should be fine.

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Question

Silly question; what do they use it for, to sleep at nite?

Community Answer

Lol, but butterflies use their "house" as a safe place to trust. Make sure this "house" gives a sense of security.

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Question

What should I put inside the butterfly house?

Community Answer

Flowers would be a great choice!

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Question

Is the sugar water just to initially attract them?

Community Answer

Yes, it is just to initially attract them.

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Question

Is there a chance that the butterfly house will attract wasps?

Community Answer

Wasps are attracted to water and meat, so if you avoid those things in your butterfly house, you shouldn't have an issue with wasps. (Keep in mind that a lack of a water source will limit the number of butterflies you'll see.)

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Question

What if a lizard bites a butterfly?

Flash_the_gecko44

Community Answer

Don't hurt the lizard. It is just natural instinct for it to hunt and eat insects. There really isn't anything you can do for the butterfly. Just let nature run it's course.

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Question

I bought a cute butterfly house without a bottom at a garage sale. Does it need a bottom? Maybe it's another way they could walk in? I can make one easily; I'm just wondering.

Oreo9898

Community Answer

I suggest putting a half-bottom on it so it can act as another entrance, but the butterflies will have a secure sanctuary.

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Question

So can I put sugar water and fruit in the butterfly box; what else can I put in it?

Community Answer

Sweet-smelling flowers are a nice addition.

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Question

Will sugar water attract yellow jackets and other insects?

Community Answer

Everything is attracted to the sweet sugar water, but you can buy feeders that reduce the amount of wasps visiting it.

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Question

What type of wood would you suggest I use for my butterfly house in North Flordia?

Community Answer

Try using cedar. Cedar is a very water resistant wood that would work well for a butterfly house.

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Question

Should you paint the outside or should you cover it with real leaves.

Mollie Snyder

Community Answer

Paint might work but the butterflies would enjoy real leaves. Just change them when they get dry.

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Question

How do you keep the wasps from being attracted to the sugar water or other sweets?

Darling of Nature

Community Answer

Plants like spearmint, thyme, citronella, eucalyptus and wormwood are all considered effective natural repellents. Similarly, peppermint oil and essential oil blends, like lemongrass, clove and geranium can also repel worker wasps.

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Question

How can I keep ants from invading the butterfly house if I use the sugar-water trick in the dish?

Community Answer

Use talcum powder to block the ants. Destroy their trail and the colony, but most importantly kill the queen.

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