Butterfly Houses

A world without butterflies?

Butterflies are one of natures best pollinators, but increased use of herbicides and pesticides is threatening some of the more fragile species with extinction. Butterfly houses are a great way to attract the colorful helpers to your garden Shelters help shield butterflies from threatening weather and provide nighttime resting areas. Certain species can also use the house for overwintering. A butterfly house can help nature maintain its delicate balance, and preserve one of its most beautiful wonders. No one wants to imagine a world without butterflies.

How to attract butterflies
The general requirements for a healthy butterfly population are:

• Full sun, nectar source plants
• Larval host plants
• A pesticide-free environment
• Knowledge of the local butterfly fauna

This makes vegetable and flower gardens the perfect locations for your butterfly house.

What butterflies look for
A butterfly house is made of wood (the butterfly's natural homes are trees) and resembles an elongated bird house with thin vertical slots cut in place of bird holes. The slots enable butterflies to come and go freely, but don't allow birds and other predators to gain entry. Butterfly houses are sold in a wide variety or styles and colors, but many gardeners prefer to build their own. There are many kits and complete plans available if you're one of these do it yourselfers.

More information
Butterflies are notoriously unpredictable about where they choose to live, but butterfly houses look great and add to the charm of any garden. To get more information about starting one of you own, check out the following locations:

• Lawn and garden suppliers
• Home improvement stores
• Arts and craft shows
• Online specialty shops
• Butterfly website