Butterfly Houses

A butterfly house is just what it sounds like: a small wooden structure that provides shelter for butterflies. The houses are meant to support the insects during long stretches of time, like hibernation.  

There is some debate about whether butterflies actually inhabit the houses, though. In a blog piece at the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division, Terry W. Johnson points out that most butterflies don’t hibernate. Instead, they spend the cold months as an egg, pupa, or chrysalis. Further, those few butterflies that DO hibernate have a wealth of places to seek shelter, including brush, woodpiles, bark fissures, hollow trees, and abandoned buildings.  

In his piece, Johnson goes on to say that both scientific studies and casual observation indicate that butterflies do not use the houses. Still, he encourages people to provide the structures in their butterfly gardens if they wish. After all, the houses are attractive garden features that “won’t do any harm.” He also encourages people to track usage of their butterfly houses. If they aren’t attracting butterflies, it’s okay to move them to a different location, in hopes the insects will find them in a new spot. 

How to Build a Butterfly House 

Butterfly houses are fairly easy to build if you are adept with tools. They are basically tall, slim wooden boxes, with slits cut into the front. The slits mimic bark fissures and allow butterflies to enter the house.  

If you search online for “butterfly house plans” or “butterfly box plans” you will find numerous sites with detailed directions. Choose a plan that suits your skill level and your garden’s aesthetic. And, of course, once the box is built, it can be decorated with paint, stencils, little cedar shake shingles, or whatever your heart desires. 

Purdue University has a terrific detailed plan, complete with photo, diagrams, and written instructions. As a bonus, the entire house can be built with just two six-foot boards: one 1×4 and one 1×6. You will also need wood screws, nails, and a zinc-plated hinge for the house, as well as a piece of copper pipe and a copper pipe cap for the stand.  

Following the details in the plan from Purdue University, cut the lumber to size. Before assembling, make slits in the front piece by first marking the slit lines on the board. Then drill a 1/2-inch hole at the end of each marking. Insert a jigsaw into one hole and saw through to the end hole.  

The hinge is used to create a backdoor on the house. This allows you to easily clean the interior, check for visitors, and add things that might make butterflies more comfortable, like pieces of bark or a sugar solution (more below). 

Once complete, the copper pipe stand should be sunk about 24 inches into the soil. How much pipe extends above the soil is up to you. You may want to keep the house at the same height as butterfly-friendly plantings, to encourage easy access. Or, if your garden is quite shaded, you might want your stand to be a bit taller, to reach further towards the sun. 

How to Entice Visitors to Your Butterfly House 

There are several things that you can do to attract butterflies to your new butterfly box, including: 

1. Establish the house in a butterfly-friendly location. Butterflies will appreciate a sunny spot that’s protected from the wind. Also, choose a location near plants that provide nectar for butterflies or a food source for the larvae that will hatch from butterfly eggs. 
2. Decorate your butterfly house with bright floral colours and designs. Butterflies are especially attracted to purple, red, yellow, and pink colours. Or, attach bark to the exterior of the house, to make it look more like a tree. 
3. Provide a shallow source of water nearby, such as a birdbath. 
4. Place some rocks in nearby sunny spots so that butterflies can bask, warming themselves in the sun. 
5. Create mud puddles nearby, where male butterflies can extract the nutrients they need. Just sink a container into the ground, fill it with soil, sand, and manure, and keep it damp. 
6. Always keep your garden environmentally-friendly by avoiding the use of chemicals. 

Additionally, the Woodland Trust website suggests leaving a sugar solution inside the butterfly house as a food source. Sugar solutions are easy to make. Simply mix one part sugar with four parts water and bring the concoction to a boil so that the sugar completely dissolves. Once the solution is ready, place a new sponge into a container that will fit into the butterfly house. Pour the solution over the sponge until the container is about half full. Place the solution inside the butterfly house. It’s a good idea to check on it daily, to make sure it doesn’t develop mould. Change it weekly (unless mould appears sooner). 

How to Maintain Your Butterfly House 

Once your butterfly house is set up, it won’t need very much maintenance. It’s a good idea to check the interior frequently, in case other insects or animals have taken up residence. You’ll especially want to deter and remove butterfly predators from the house. 

Butterfly houses can be a cute and whimsical addition to your garden decor. They are fun to make and decorate. It’s possible butterflies won’t use the box, but it can be fun to experiment as you develop your butterfly garden.