 |
Secrets Revealed on How to Attract Butterflies & other Winged Wildlife
So, I got your attention on wanting to know how to attract butterflies?
Great, just like you, I'm always looking for ways to attract butterflies and more variety of them.
Here you will discover the "what" and "how" to really attracting butterflies and find great tips on creating a Butterfly Garden, no butterfly can resist.
Have you ever wondered how do butterflies know or smell where the nectar is? Basically, they have little tiny taste buds on their feet. It's true!! They have what is called a "Tarsi," and it acts similiar to what we know as our "sense of taste" or "taste buds." As the butterflies "tarsi" becomes in contact with a nectar producing plant, it causes the butterflies "proboscis" to uncoil. Since butterflies can't really smell nectar, they become attracted to nectar producing plants by color.
FOUR BASIC - MOST IMPORTANT ELEMENTS to Attract Butterflies and to Create Your Butterfly Garden.
- FOOD
Nectar Producing Plants
Choose plants that produce color blossoms of blue/purple, red, yellow, pink and orange - definitely one of my favorites.
Make sure that the blossoms or flowers are "flat-topped" and/or are a "clustered of flowers". This allows the butterfly to reach the nectar, and balance their body. Remember they do not have the long-beak like a hummingbird, so different plants are required. The secret to attracting butterflies is not only planting the right plant, but also where you plant in your backyard garden. Plant in full sun butterflies are cold-blooded so they get cold fast. You'll rarely see them feeding in the shade.
Hosting Plants - Plants for the Eggs - Food for the Caterpillars.
Plants that Attract Butterflies and their Host Plants.
- WATER
Butterflies can't drink from open water, so you will never see them at your birdbath unless you placed a big sponge in it or it's filled with sand/gravel. They require wet sand or soil. I live on a lake and they love hanging out on the beach with me. You can really attract butterflies if you accommodate them by creating a "puddling" area. Just place a bowl of wet sand or you can bury a tray or bowl of wet sand in the ground - up to the rim. Make sure you add a rock or something similar to create a resting area for them, just like you would for your wildbirds.
- SHELTER
Like I mentioned earlier, butterflies get cold easily, so provide a good cozy warm shelter close to your nectar plants. Make sure it will provide shelter from bad weather and from the cold wind. I have several butterfly houses thru out my backyard garden, not only are they adorable and add charm but they actually serve a purpose. Cool!!
Get your Butterfly House's at
The Bird Shed
- PROTECTION FROM HUMANS -
No Pesticides!
Practice Natural Organic Gardening - All butterflies and their life stages are extremely sensitive to pesticides.
So, Keep It Natural... for Wild's Sake!!
Click here to learn more about
Natural Organc Gardening
Now you know the basic elements that attract butterflies, let's start planning your Butterfly Garden.
Click here for more
Secrets to creating a thriving Butterfly Garden!
Sign-up for my Free Newsletter - Mrs. B's Post!
You'll find an enormous amount of information and quick tips to help you create your Beautiful Backyard Wildlife Garden. As I hear about new products and special discount notices, I'll pass it along. Mrs. B's Post! is a bi-monthly e-Newsletter and you are able to remove yourself at anytimg with a removal link I provide on every mailing.
You can expect to find mini-articles on craft ideas for your garden, home-made recipes for birds and bugs, and great how-to articles, just to name a few.
Join-In on the Fun & Savings.
Return to Attract Backyard Garden Wildlife Home Page
|
|
