Do Butterflies Really Use Butterfly Houses?

Also called hibernation boxes, they make wonderful accents in any environment.  Available in redwood and cedar, from basic to decorative designs, butterfly houses add a certain charm to any flower garden.  But…you have to wonder, do butterflies really use them?  I don’t have one in my own garden, so I can’t speak from experience here, but opinions do vary on the subject.  Some say they will use them for protection from predators, and for roosting during inclement weather. Others will say not at all, and that a mud puddle is a nicer gesture for butterflies!

Of course flowers that produce nectar will always attract butterflies, and they just adore the gentle spray of leaf misters…this IS from experience!  Several Butterfly Bushes, lots of Lantana, and Native Salvia, along with 2 leaf misters give us the daily pleasure of viewing these “flying flowers” daily during warmer months just north of Atlanta.

If you do opt for a butterfly house in your garden, the recommended height is about four feet above ground, and it’s best to have a southern exposure in the wintertime as well.