How do I provide water for butterflies safely?

Ensuring aqua safety helps to avoid death by butterfly drowning. Deep sources, such as bird baths, pose special dangers. Butterflies drink moisture from shallow, wet surfaces through their feet; therefore, to provide puddling stations, you will need to use specific materials. You want to maintain an appropriate depth of no more than two inches. Don't forget to add some mineral supplements! Using these methods will ensure aqua safety.

Building a puddling station takes a bit of finesse. For the construction, I use terra cotta saucers that are 12 inches wide. Fill the saucers halfway with coarse builder's sand. Then add water until it begins to gleam on the surface. Place some flat stones along the edges of each saucer so the butterflies can perch comfortably while gaining moisture. Puddling stations do not need to be deeper than two inches.

Mineral supplements enhance the effectiveness of hydration. Butterflies are naturally attracted to sodium and amino acids, which are absent in sweet nectar. Adding the additional benefit of a teaspoon of sea salt to the butterfly feeding station, as before, will be helpful. You may also want to include overripe banana or orange slices. Ideally, you could also change the fruit every three days. Butterflies are more attracted to offering this combination rather than just water.

Keep your stations well-maintained. Change the water every forty-eight hours to avoid stagnation. Depending on your conditions, completely change out the sand every season, and scrub containers out monthly with a vinegar solution. Be sure to remove any soap residue, as this may harm the delicate wings of moths, flies, and bees. While inspecting your stations, also check for any mosquito larvae. You will also want to ensure that you are taking proper care of your stations so that they do not become contaminated with disease.

Placement is key for use. Place stations within 3 feet of nectar plants whenever possible. Butterflies will see them when they are feeding and observing life around them. Placing them in areas that receive morning sun will ensure they dry out partially by the afternoon hours. This resembles a natural puddle in nature. Elevate the containers slightly with bricks, so crawling predators like ants cannot access them.

Adopt these methods today. Set up your first puddling station in just a few minutes. Observe any butterfly visitors in the puddling station during the following week. You will notice the butterflies visiting more frequently and staying in the area longer. Adequate hydration will help build and sustain strong butterfly populations in your habitat.

Read the full article: How to Create Butterfly Garden in 7 Easy Steps