One of the best ways to make your backyard one-of-a-kind is by turning it into a butterfly sanctuary.
Not only will you stand out from your neighbors, but you’ll also help the environment. Sanctuaries are essential because several butterfly species are dying due to habitat loss and pesticide exposure. Stay tuned to learn about the benefits of a backyard sanctuary.
Perks of a Butterfly Sanctuary
Some homeowners mistakenly believe they need to redesign their entire backyard to add a sanctuary. However, with a few plants, windbreak, sun exposure, and a small water fountain, you can create a serene atmosphere that butterflies will love.
So, how do you attract butterflies to your sanctuary? Let’s take a look!
1. Butterfly Puddler
A butterfly puddler is a pebble or basin that contains wet sand or mud. A wet puddler can provide butterflies with the mineral-rich liquids they need and crave. Don’t forget about sunlight! Sunlight is crucial because butterflies sunbathe to warm their wings. We recommend placing your puddler in a well-lit area.
2. Create Shelter
Butterflies, much like humans, need shelter from the wind. Strong gusts will repel them away from your garden, rendering your sanctuary obsolete. Planting bushy plants not only add dimension to your yard, but it also serves as a shelter for visiting butterflies.
3. Plant the Right Plants
These plants will help attract butterflies to your garden:
- Butterfly Bush
- California Buckwheat
- Black-Eyed Susan
- Aster
- Mallow
- Echinacea
- False Nettle
- Nasturtium
- Rue
- Shasta Daisy
- Spider flower
- Snapdragon
- Sunflower
- Violet
- Verbena
To encourage butterfly visits each year, add plants that caterpillars need. Traveling butterflies are more likely to lay eggs in your sanctuary if they spot plants that their babies need to eat. When caterpillars metamorphose into butterflies, they’ll find everything they need in your sanctuary.
Most of them like trees and shrubs. Other types, such as the monarch butterfly, strictly lay eggs on milkweed plants.
4. Provide Water
Butterflies supply their nectar gathering by drinking water to gain minerals. Create a makeshift water fountain using sand and pebbles inside a shallow pan. If you want to preserve your landscape design, you can bury buckets full of sand and pebbles.
Surprisingly, butterflies also enjoy an occasional sip of fruit juice. Fill a shallow container with fruit juice and pebbles to treat them to a tasty drink.
How Can I Attract Certain Types of Butterflies?
Not all butterflies are the same, and some have extra needs.
Monarch butterflies: As mentioned above, monarchs will only eat milkweed plants, which are critical to their survival. However, this plant is dangerous to humans, so if you have children running around, it’s best not to grow it. After all, monarchs love milkweed because it’s toxic to birds, keeping them at bay.
Black swallowtails: Are you intrigued by black swallowtails? Host a habitat for them by growing carrots, parsley, and Queen Anne’s lace.
Contact Summit Lawn & Pest Control
Having a butterfly sanctuary outside your home can transform your yard into a peaceful retreat. Summit Lawn & Pest Control specializes in lawn care and pest control, and we can ensure that unwanted insects don’t invade your sanctuary. We can remove weeds, dandelions, crabgrass, pests, grubs, and more. We service Utah County. Contact us today for a free quote.
