How to Make a Butterfly Feeder

Butterflies can add an unexpected burst of color to your yard throughout the summer as they embark each day on their quest for sweet, sweet nectar. And with a little bit of craftiness, you can attract these butterflies to your own backyard.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Small jar
• Nail and drill
• Sponge
• String/fishing line
• Decorations (markers, photos, etc.)
• Sugar water

1. Punch a small hole in the lid of the jar, perhaps with a nail or drill.

2. Cut off a small strip of kitchen sponge, and pull it through the hole until 1/2 inch sticks out from the top of the lid. Make as tight a fit as possible--if, later, the hole drips when you turn the jar upside down, use a bigger strip of sponge.

3. Tie a length of string or fishing line around the mouth of your jar. Take another string, about a few feet long, and tie each end to opposite sides of the jar's mouth--for example, at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock. Tie another piece of string of identical length at 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock. Tie the middle of the strings together, and turn the jar upside down to make sure it hangs evenly.

4. Decorate the jar with bright colors or pictures of flowers. These will help to attract butterflies.

5. Fill the jar with sugar water (9 parts water, 1 part sugar) and screw the lid on tightly.

6. Suspend your feeder outside on a convenient tree branch, and wait.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also attract butterflies with rotten or overripe fruit placed on a suspended plate. This method, while smellier, will attract different species--although it may also attract wasps.