Butterfly House Plans
You may hear a lot of arguments about whether or not butterfly houses actually "work". Butterflies are most likely to use the houses during hibernation. They may also use them during the warm months at night as a roosting spot. Our feeling is that most of them go unoccupied by butterflies, but they sure do make the garden pretty and more interesting.
Where to Place your Butterfly House
Your butterfly house should be placed in a sunny location in the garden away from prevailing winds. It should be mounted on a pole or tree about 4 feet off the ground. Inside the house, place a couple slabs of tree bark in a vertical position. This is to provide the butterflies more shelter and something to cling to. Be sure that the bark is not blocking the entrance.
Species most likely to use the house for hibernation are the Compton Tortoiseshell, Gray Comma, Mourning Cloak, Red Admiral, Hoary Comma, Question Mark and other species that are known to overwinter as adults.
If you'd like to build your own butterfly house, click here for butterfly house plans or click here for other plans to build a butterfly house. Click here to see what Rick Mikula, The Butterfly Guy, thinks about butterfly houses.
Don't Have Time to Build Your Own?
Butterfly Houses - Collection 1
Butterfly Houses - Collection 2
Additional Butterfly House Plans
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/build-a-butterfly-house-in-5-steps#b
http://extension.entm.purdue.edu/4hyouth/pdf/Butterfly_House_Plans.pdf
http://www.lowes.com/creative-ideas/woodworking-and-crafts/Ornamental-Butterfly-House/project
