• Bats & Butterflies,  Bird Accessories,  Butterfly Feeder,  Misters and Birdbath Drippers,  Uncategorized

    Glass Butterfly Feeders and More

    Staked Glass butterfly feeder or bathInnovative by design, with beauty to compliment any environment, these glass butterfly feeders work perfectly in any garden setting. With their rich hues, the large hand-blown glass  flowers make for a fun and interesting focal point. Add versatility to this…and they become more than just feeders.

    In our yard a red one sits just below a leaf mister, and as the water collects in the flower, it  creates the perfect bath –  not only for butterflies, but birds too! The unique shape allows for feeding nectar or fruit to butterflies as well. Over-ripened fruit like bananas, melon, peaches, pears and more can easily be placed in the flower. Add nectar to this glass flower with or without the use of a sponge.

    When attracting butterflies, several factors come into play. Landscape and the use of flowers is an important one. Nectar producing plants, and host plants will yield the best results when used in conjunction with one another.

    A water source is very helpful too, but butterflies do not use birdbaths. Puddlers are more suited for attracting these “flying flowStoneware butterfly feeder or puddlerers”. Puddlers are just what the name implies, pools of water, or puddles. They can range from small to large, plastic or stoneware, raised or at ground level. This puddler is handcrafted of weatherproof stoneware, so it stays in the garden year-round. It gives butterflies a place to dry in the sun (after bathing) with its’ smooth rock-like surface. Some puddlers may even be used as butterfly feeders, with spaces for offering fruit or nectar.

    Butterfly accessories that are versatile and interchangeable are always a sure bet as you can try different things to see what works best for attracting these little guys to your garden.

    leaf mister next to a butterfly feederA leaf mister in our yard sits in front of a glass butterfly feeder. Unfortunately from this angle, the feeder is hidden by shrubs. But it’s the perfect example of using a butterfly feeder as a bath instead.

  • Bats & Butterflies,  Bird Accessories,  Butterfly Houses,  Uncategorized

    Are Butterfly Houses for Aesthetics or Shelter?

    Etched Glass and Redwood Butterfly HouseSurprising to me, we had a wonderful butterfly season in the Atlanta area this year. I can’t recall a summer where so many had populated my yard. I know the two leaf misters were a huge attraction for them, along with some newly planted milkweed. Other flowers like lantana and abelia shrubs saw lots of action from these winged jewels too. There is no butterfly house in the yard, and I’ve always wondered whether or not butterflies really use them?

    Some butterfly houses are like detailed works of art for the garden, they enhance and add a nice focal point to the area. The butterfly house shown here is constructed of durable red cedar, and the etched glass panels that catch light beautifully. It’s available as a hanging, or post mount model too.

    But back to the question if butterflies really use butterfly houses or not?
    A bit of research reveals the answer here:

  • Bat Houses,  Bats & Butterflies,  Bird Accessories,  Uncategorized

    Recycled or Wooden Bat Houses?

    recycled bat houseThe (not so new anymore) wave of recycled plastics is still a wonderful thing as for as birding accessories. Durable, tough, handsome, and most come with guarantees against splitting, cracking or fading. Bat houses are now available in recycled plastics, and like all other products, guarantee a longer life…in fact…a lifetime of use.

    One of the advantages to this recycled bat house is the rich, dark color. Not only for aesthetic purposes, it retains heat from the sun to keep the chambers warmer on cold nights. It’s large enough to hold hundreds of the beneficial little brown bats, whole colonies if you will. Excellent for natural pest control, bats will consume whole populations of mosquitoes in one night.

    Wooden bat houses are still mainstream, and are available for smaller groupings and large colonies too. Bat House Kits are even available if you’re so inclined to build your own. Most wood bat houses are constructed of red cedar, also durable and very long lasting. If purchasing a bat house, your decision may be based on looks, size, and or price. A wide variety of bat houses are available, the key is proper placement. Approximately 15-20 feet from the ground is best, usually facing a southern or southeast exposure. They may be post or pole mounted with additional hardware, or simply attached to a tree. Some say they can be erected on structures as well, we would not recommend this.

    Help brown bats to thrive flourish in your yard by offering proper shelter and you’ll be rewarded with natural insect control for the season!