My wife received a gift from a friend of a "butterfly feeder" it is a shallow disc about 2.5" deep by 8" across. It looks similar to a hummingbird feeder except shallow. in addition to the reservoir there are places to put fruit. The instructions call for a 8:1 water sugar mix (half strength hummer nectar). Does anyone have any experience with these or are we just wasting our time (and sugar)?
Butterfly Feeeders
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/818163/
We use a mixture of bananas, dark beer and brown sugar all blended up for the fruit feasters. Works great out here.
Others have used gatorade and fruit juices. Try some different ones to see what works best for the butterflies you get in your yard. Of course, the season also plays a big part - most of our fruit feasters don't start coming around until the fall season.
Also helps to have a sandy or moist area - some butterflies like blues seek minerals that are leeched to the surface of the soil.
~ Cat
The Link on the picture page leads me to an advertisement for a new adult networking site called Rude Space. Not sure if you really want that up there! I will do some research on the brew and will try plain fruit and some beer to start. I am a home beer brewer so i might have some things they like. Since I am in the NE your fall guys might be here for the spring/summer. Thanks for the help.
No...no...noooooooooo! It's supposed to go to one of the Dave's posting that we all added to with photos of butterflies on brew, scar and such. It worked for me right now that I just tried it.
You can try to search the: Hummingbird and Butterfly Gardening forum
Subject Thread: Puddling, scat and butterfly brew photos
Post by the following user: TexasPuddyPrint
That should take you to the actual posting where you can view all the photos and comments.
~ Cat
Cat...the link still directs to a bad site. Can you go in and delete it. Not sure, maybe Deb doesn't have her website any longer?
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/p.php?pid=4596212
Sheila,
When I click on the link
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/818163/
it comes up to the Dave's posting of butterflies not an advertisement.
Again, you can try to search the: Hummingbird and Butterfly Gardening forum
Subject Thread: Puddling, scat and butterfly brew photos
Post by the following user: TexasPuddyPrint
That should take you to the actual posting where you can view all the photos and comments.
~ Cat
The link I sent is where you posted three GST puddling. But if you click on the link you have "within" that post it goes to the weird one.
Criminy!!!! Eeeek! Double EEEEEEEEEEK! I did a quick edit on that post and removed the link to Debnes' page...have no idea where it went.
I also went to the 'sticky thread' and tried the link to Debnes' page that Becky had posted - it too went to rude space. UGH!!!
~ Cat
This message was edited Jun 17, 2009 7:31 PM
Howdy folks! I bought the ingredients for the brew, but I am wondering how best to use it without having an ant station rather than a butterfly one, lol! I have looked through all the pictures on the other post (amazing pics by the way!) and I like the idea of the logs and the fruit baskets. Anyway, if you guys have any suggestions on how best to hang to have minimal ants, I'd really appreciate it! I have a TON of ants in my yard which is why I am concerned. Oooh, one more question -- Will the ants hurt or deter the butterflies?
Thanks!
Cat.......LOL!! Now you see it! I don't know if Debnes still has her site, I know that link worked before. She may have moved it.
TX V.....The ants are bad here too. I don't have too much of a problem with them if I hang the log. If that still draws them, try putting vasaline on the wire, rope or etc. You will also have a few flies and bees that are attracted, so don't put it near a doorway.
The brew doesn't attract all bfs, just a few of the bushfoot family, it's worth the effort though. The ones that come to it are mainly rotted fruit eaters I think. Those you don't see nectaring on flowers, so you get to see a whole new group.
Texas_Viola - you could make some of those staked log feeders or those that hang from a tree. Ants still climb up the stakes as well as up the tree and down the wires to the feeders but they don't hurt the butterflies (well, unless one died). All the insects co-mingle for food in mostly a peaceful manner :o)
I believe there are photos showing both the ground staked and hanging feeder photos on my butterfly puddling, scat and brew post.
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/818163/
~ Cat