• Bats & Butterflies,  Bird Accessories,  Butterfly Feeder,  Misters and Birdbath Drippers,  Uncategorized

    Glass Butterfly Feeders and More

    Staked Glass butterfly feeder or bathInnovative by design, with beauty to compliment any environment, these glass butterfly feeders work perfectly in any garden setting. With their rich hues, the large hand-blown glass  flowers make for a fun and interesting focal point. Add versatility to this…and they become more than just feeders.

    In our yard a red one sits just below a leaf mister, and as the water collects in the flower, it  creates the perfect bath –  not only for butterflies, but birds too! The unique shape allows for feeding nectar or fruit to butterflies as well. Over-ripened fruit like bananas, melon, peaches, pears and more can easily be placed in the flower. Add nectar to this glass flower with or without the use of a sponge.

    When attracting butterflies, several factors come into play. Landscape and the use of flowers is an important one. Nectar producing plants, and host plants will yield the best results when used in conjunction with one another.

    A water source is very helpful too, but butterflies do not use birdbaths. Puddlers are more suited for attracting these “flying flowStoneware butterfly feeder or puddlerers”. Puddlers are just what the name implies, pools of water, or puddles. They can range from small to large, plastic or stoneware, raised or at ground level. This puddler is handcrafted of weatherproof stoneware, so it stays in the garden year-round. It gives butterflies a place to dry in the sun (after bathing) with its’ smooth rock-like surface. Some puddlers may even be used as butterfly feeders, with spaces for offering fruit or nectar.

    Butterfly accessories that are versatile and interchangeable are always a sure bet as you can try different things to see what works best for attracting these little guys to your garden.

    leaf mister next to a butterfly feederA leaf mister in our yard sits in front of a glass butterfly feeder. Unfortunately from this angle, the feeder is hidden by shrubs. But it’s the perfect example of using a butterfly feeder as a bath instead.

  • Bats & Butterflies,  Butterfly Feeder,  Uncategorized

    Add a Water Source Near Butterfly Feeders

    Stoneware Butterfly PuddlerThe butterfly activity around our yard is amazing this season! As compared to last summer, there seems to be at least three to four times more. We have no butterfly feeders per se, but do use various things to attract and keep them around…and it works great!

    Flowers in the garden include Lantana, Butterfly Bush, Bee Balm, Abelia shrubs, and Milkweed. The best part is that these are all perennials, quite hardy, and come back bigger every year. There are also two leaf misters which butterflies flit back and forth above all day long in our excruciating summer heat, hummingbirds love them too!. Leaf Misters Attract Butterfies TooThe newest addition to lure butterflies is large stoneware puddler. With a spot for water in the center, the smooth, white rock gives them a place to rest in the sun and dry off, sun bathing if you will.

    So, even without the use of butterfly feeders, you can still entice and attract these graceful and beautiful creatures. Create a habitat for wildlife in your yard by planting trees, shrubs and flowers to provide food and shelter, and adding a fresh water source for birds and wildlife. It brings nature home, and helps the environment too.

  • Bats & Butterflies,  Bird Accessories,  Butterfly Feeder,  Misters and Birdbath Drippers,  Uncategorized

    Butterfly Feeders & Other Enticements

    Entice butterflies to your yard with butterfly feeders and these simple tricks:

    Butterfly feeders, either nectar or fruit can crafted pretty simply with household items. Over-ripe fruit (like bananas, melons or oranges) may be placed on a saucer and set on a tree trunk or stake. They’ll attract fruit flies, which butterflies consume for protein too. To hang butterfly feeders,  use sisal rope or twine with a grapevine wreath for the base. The secret is sunny locations as butterflies love warm sun. If using nectar in a shallow bowl, add a sponge (a new one) to absorb the liquid as butterflies will consume the nectar in this fashion. Also, no need to purchase nectar, it’s the same solution used for hummingbirds. 1 Part sugar to 4 parts water. Never use anything but plain table sugar. Boiling is not necessary, but helps to dissolve the sugar more efficiently.

    Water is another attractant, but butterflies won’t drink from an open source. Leaf misters are great, as they leave tiny puddles around where the mist falls. Butterflies will flit in and out of the gentle spray.

    Using a waterless pond will attract the flying flowers too. Simply gather heat-absorbing rocks and place them on their side in a sunny location. Design a small circle, square, or free-form with rocks close together, an inch or two deep. Add sand and salts and keep moist to further attract butterflies. Line the area with plastic to keep the salts from seeping into your soil.

    When placing feeders, misters, or rock baths, it’s best to have them in, or in close proximity to your butterfly garden. Use host plants and nectar plants for best results.