I've seen these, and they are really pretty. Since I like to put decorative goodies around the garden I was thinking of getting one. But...do the butterflys really use them...do they just "hang out" is it protection from birds and weather? One guy selling them on ebay says they lay their eggs in them but I thought they always laid their eggs on plants.
Butterfly houses?
They lay their eggs on plants. Although sometimes the GF's go crazy and I'll see a few eggs on the wooden fence or something. The butterflies don't usually use the butterfly houses, as far as I've seen. During the day they are busy with nectaring, laying eggs or flying from one area to another and will perch any place handy when resting. At night they are often hanging from tree branches.
I have not had my ornamental butterfly house used ---except by wasps who made it their home.
The shape lends itself to the garden well.
ok, thanks...I think I'll just stick to bird houses then.
Interesting feedback. I paint and make birdhouses and feeders and such. I heard about the butterfly houses from a relative up north, but have not seen the product at any "Michael's" in this neck of the woods.
Fauna4flora, I don't know about them being at Michael's, but there are alot on Ebay, some decorated and some plain. Have also seen them offered from some of the retailers listed in DG. Most descriptions say they offer protection from birds for the BF's. But when I saw the one on ebay that stated they laid their eggs in it, I kinda wondered, hench my post here. Were they really something the butterflys would use, or more just decoration.
I think they were designed for hibernation…
http://butterflywebsite.com/articles/showarticle.cfm?ID=27
But I'd rather build a wood pile
This message was edited Nov 24, 2008 6:48 PM
Well, my farm is heavily tree'd with large oaks, maples, cypress, and lots of shrubbery, and lots of natives...so I think the BF's have lots of places to hang out. And there's the lumber pile also...just in case...;-).
mj
Save your money - they won't use them. Best bet is to have some vines or trees around that offer natural coverage.
~ Cat