Q&A for How to Build a Butterfly House

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  • Question
    Is milkweed good for butterflies?
    Community Answer
    It is the main food source for monarch butterflies, but for others it is poisonous.
  • Question
    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.
  • Question
    What if I live in las vegas?
    Community Answer
    The same rules for building a butterfly house apply to all locations.
  • Question
    Is it possible to resuscitate butterflies using mouth to mouth?
    Community Answer
    No, that will likely cause more damage to the insect.
  • Question
    Will a painted wooden butterfly house harm the butterflies?
    Community Answer
    No, it shouldn't hurt them at all.
  • 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.
  • Question
    Can I use 1" x 4' wood?
    Community Answer
    Yes, that should be fine.
  • 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.
  • Question
    What should I put inside the butterfly house?
    Community Answer
    Flowers would be a great choice!
  • Question
    Is the sugar water just to initially attract them?
    Community Answer
    Yes, it is just to initially attract them.
  • 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.)
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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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