Thank you ladies so much for your video! I've raised monarchs & swallowtails for years now & have never been able to get them to puddle. Now I know I was doing it all wrong!
What were you doing wrong? I made one with play sand and mixed manure into it and also added a dish of old fruits but they’re not using it. I have monarchs. Only ants and flies are using it!
I love this. There are few butterflies that like ripe fruit but for puddles you want over ripe to even rotten fruit. I use shallow fruit containers and they already have holes in them then I add layer of sand on the very bottom over the holes. Then for the filling I have my fillings all ready, ready. This is where I take fruits, bit of garden soil, salt then compost cow manure blended up all together. Then I take the lid where the sand is ... make a few indentions in the sand especially for the bigger lids and/or containers. Then I pour the mixture over that & add some rocks, depending on the size of the container and my containers are pressed down into the yard in different areas. Another real good tip and when I blend up different fruits since I experiment with my container's and keep records which has which ingredients in it, how often I had to re-add and when, what type of butterflies, how many butterflies and what the dates were. So for 1 variety, so far the biggest puddling and more butterflies are attracted to this one. I get my container ready first by adding holes to the bottom of it then I add the sand... the filling is where I took bananas, salt, compost, & some garden soil, & (WHAT SEEMS TO BE THEIR FAV INGREDIENT) STOUT STRONG BEER, then blend it all together.... okay but the filling was already prepared the year before because after I blended it together then I placed it in the shed in a jug with a tight lid. About 4 to 5 times I go to the shed throughout those months and open the lid for a few minutes to let the pressure off, close it and wait. Yuk, I know but not to them. Butterflies and other insects that get nutrients from dung tend to prefer the dung of carnivores, which contains more sodium than that of herbivores. This behavior is called puddling, and is mostly seen in male butterflies. That's because males incorporate those extra salts and minerals into their sperm. The first time it mates, a male butterfly may give away a third of its sodium to its reproductive partner. They will feed off dead carcasses too. If you've ever been to a lake and saw a huge amount of butterflies in one area then it's because they're dining off some rotting fish. They also like sweat, blood, tears, human urine and of course dung and beer, rotting fruit. After mine are made then I just make sure to add to them when they dry out. m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2945675192318495&id=2253944324824922
Great video! Puddling stations are important for male butterflies, who get their building blocks for their pheromones from alkaloids in the mud. In Florida, certain flowers obtain alkaline nectar and attract only male butterflies. They are often white (non alba) and usually fragrant. Even males of species that don't usually visit flowers will flock to these. White Coral Tree and Cestrum diurnum come to mind
Thank you for this comprehensive discussion and demonstration. I have swallowtails and different types of bees in my garden every year and trust my new puddler will be helpful to them.
Thank you for this video! It would be so helpful if you included a link to the Arbor Gate Organic Blend you use in the video (and to any products you mention in your videos). 🙂
Great suggestions! We've added links in the desciption. You can find the single bags here: arborgate.com/product/organic-food-complete/ and the 5 bag special here: arborgate.com/product/organic-food-complete-special-5-bags-for-the-price-of-4/
I can't wait to make one of these....I live in FL, and all we have is sand, can I use my regular sand from the ground? I've seen butterflies drinking from the ground here, so there must be something they like about it.
What about flies wasps and ants? Sounds like a recipie for trouble. Esp with fruit and manure. Hope im wrong!! How often does the sand mixture need to be changed? ?Thx!
What about banana water. Where you throw banana peels into a bucket of water, close it and let it just rot... then use that water as a special booster on plants. Would the butterflies be interested in that brand of nasty or no? Also, can beach sand be used?
I can use any sand to add in a plate? And does it have to be sea salt? no cooking salt? And if I only have sea salt? How much do I spread on the sand? Or do I mix it in water first to dissolve it and then add it in the sand?
The water should be very shallow not even a full layer on top just small bits here and there. like half-palm-sized puddles. Think if like Polly pocket was splashing in puddles LOL There shouldn't be enough water for skeeters to breed. You can also plant some herbs mosquitos hate but butterflies love around where you keep your puddler if you like, some flowers are also very good at this! Glance at it every so often and if you see them them breeding you'll know you have too much water :) If you use a drip irrigation or a spray system those tiny little puddles left in the dirt are just perfect!
Caterpillars of most butterflies are picky eaters and will only eat one or two things. Cabbage whites might attack your veggie garden, but if you see a Monarch on anything but Milkweed, he's there to make a chrysalis, not a meal of your Geraniums.
I made a butterfly puddler for my monarchs two days ago and they don’t seem to want to use it. They fly around but never land. I made it with play sand and mixed some manure into it. I also placed a dish of old bananas and oranges on one side. The water keeps drying because the sand absorbs it. I keep filling with water and even when there’s water, the butterflies don’t use it. What am I doing wrong? If I decide to get rid of the puddler, what can I do with the sand and manure mix? Can I pour it in my garden? The puddler is only attracting ants and flies.
You aren't doing anything wrong. If they are flying around, they will eventually figure out this is for them. Once they do, they will return to the puddle over and over. If you have problems with it drying too quickly, add a dripper. A shepherd's hook (plant hanger) can support a length of drip tubing, with a 1/4" valve and emitter at the top. Set it to just drip 5 - 6 times a minute.
I do believe that Monarchs prefer fresh fruit. This puddling is for male butterflies This behavior is called puddling, and is mostly seen in male butterflies. That's because males incorporate those extra salts and minerals into their sperm. The first time it mates, a male butterfly may give away a third of its sodium to its reproductive partner. Now for the Monarchs and pretty butterflies that love nectar, I leave out fresh banana and such and use a sponge to soak up humming bird nectar and leave it out for them. m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2945675192318495&id=2253944324824922
Ok i watched it again to see if i missed it but you didnt mention how to deal with flies and yellow jackets and mosquitos. Esp with fruit. I love the idea but worry about uninvited guests. Does anyone else have issues with this? Want to do this project but am concerned.
Excellent tips! 🖖🌻💚
Thank you ladies so much for your video! I've raised monarchs & swallowtails for years now & have never been able to get them to puddle. Now I know I was doing it all wrong!
What were you doing wrong? I made one with play sand and mixed manure into it and also added a dish of old fruits but they’re not using it. I have monarchs. Only ants and flies are using it!
I love this. There are few butterflies that like ripe fruit but for puddles you want over ripe to even rotten fruit. I use shallow fruit containers and they already have holes in them then I add layer of sand on the very bottom over the holes. Then for the filling I have my fillings all ready, ready. This is where I take fruits, bit of garden soil, salt then compost cow manure blended up all together. Then I take the lid where the sand is ... make a few indentions in the sand especially for the bigger lids and/or containers. Then I pour the mixture over that & add some rocks, depending on the size of the container and my containers are pressed down into the yard in different areas. Another real good tip and when I blend up different fruits since I experiment with my container's and keep records which has which ingredients in it, how often I had to re-add and when, what type of butterflies, how many butterflies and what the dates were. So for 1 variety, so far the biggest puddling and more butterflies are attracted to this one. I get my container ready first by adding holes to the bottom of it then I add the sand... the filling is where I took bananas, salt, compost, & some garden soil, & (WHAT SEEMS TO BE THEIR FAV INGREDIENT) STOUT STRONG BEER, then blend it all together.... okay but the filling was already prepared the year before because after I blended it together then I placed it in the shed in a jug with a tight lid. About 4 to 5 times I go to the shed throughout those months and open the lid for a few minutes to let the pressure off, close it and wait. Yuk, I know but not to them. Butterflies and other insects that get nutrients from dung tend to prefer the dung of carnivores, which contains more sodium than that of herbivores. This behavior is called puddling, and is mostly seen in male butterflies. That's because males incorporate those extra salts and minerals into their sperm. The first time it mates, a male butterfly may give away a third of its sodium to its reproductive partner. They will feed off dead carcasses too. If you've ever been to a lake and saw a huge amount of butterflies in one area then it's because they're dining off some rotting fish. They also like sweat, blood, tears, human urine and of course dung and beer, rotting fruit. After mine are made then I just make sure to add to them when they dry out.
m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2945675192318495&id=2253944324824922
Thank you
How do you keep the flies from taking over?
wasps love the fruit too
Great video! Puddling stations are important for male butterflies, who get their building blocks for their pheromones from alkaloids in the mud.
In Florida, certain flowers obtain alkaline nectar and attract only male butterflies. They are often white (non alba) and usually fragrant. Even males of species that don't usually visit flowers will flock to these.
White Coral Tree and Cestrum diurnum come to mind
Very helpful video :) I love the enthusiasm! It’s so cheerful and motivating
Great information. Simply put, I am going to build one now. Thank you.
Thank you for this comprehensive discussion and demonstration. I have swallowtails and different types of bees in my garden every year and trust my new puddler will be helpful to them.
That was great! Lots of ideas shared, thank you!!
Yes, Ma'am! Just subscribed--just love your work! Be encouraged to continue!
Cool video! Thank you! Next spring I'm doing this!
Great information!
Thanks for the tips 💚🦋
love this
I like this channel and learn some new ideas
Thank you for this video! It would be so helpful if you included a link to the Arbor Gate Organic Blend you use in the video (and to any products you mention in your videos). 🙂
Great suggestions! We've added links in the desciption.
You can find the single bags here: arborgate.com/product/organic-food-complete/ and the 5 bag special here: arborgate.com/product/organic-food-complete-special-5-bags-for-the-price-of-4/
@@ArborGateTomball Wonderful! Thank you so much!
I was drying a bowl of ripe Jujube fruits outside and then I noticed butterflies were eating my jujubes! They came everyday
Great video with lots of info!! Ty!!!!
I can't wait to make one of these....I live in FL, and all we have is sand, can I use my regular sand from the ground? I've seen butterflies drinking from the ground here, so there must be something they like about it.
Raven Lunatic i think
Thanks. Let me make this.
Would adding Epson Salt to the sand mixture also work?
What about flies wasps and ants? Sounds like a recipie for trouble. Esp with fruit and manure. Hope im wrong!! How often does the sand mixture need to be changed? ?Thx!
Do the bee then need something nearby to produce honey?
How do you prevent it from getting too wet when it rains?
Keep the ctr higher than the rim of the puddle. You can add rocks or gravel for this purpose.
Can you
Chip off pieces of a cattle mineral block and put in puddler for butterflies?
Great video~ Thank you! What can I use in place of your Arbor Gate Complete since I don't live in TX and can't come get it?
Salt
How do you keep the squirrels from getting at the fruit😜?
What about banana water. Where you throw banana peels into a bucket of water, close it and let it just rot... then use that water as a special booster on plants. Would the butterflies be interested in that brand of nasty or no? Also, can beach sand be used?
I can use any sand to add in a plate?
And does it have to be sea salt?
no cooking salt?
And if I only have sea salt? How much do I spread on the sand? Or do I mix it in water first to dissolve it and then add it in the sand?
does ocean sand or sand by the water work? i think so right
I your voice is mesmerising
If I have a problem with yellow jackets and hornets would putting out the rotting fruit be a mistake?
Nice one! Shady or sunny placement?
Sunny for best results, especially for fruit feeder.
There they go,interupting one another.
Can I use mineral water?in place of compost..
I'm in Florida also.....seems like this would breed mosquitoes. Do you have to keep changing out the water?
I don't think you leave enough space for standing water to accumulate. "puddling" is kind of misleading.
The water should be very shallow not even a full layer on top just small bits here and there. like half-palm-sized puddles. Think if like Polly pocket was splashing in puddles LOL There shouldn't be enough water for skeeters to breed. You can also plant some herbs mosquitos hate but butterflies love around where you keep your puddler if you like, some flowers are also very good at this!
Glance at it every so often and if you see them them breeding you'll know you have too much water :) If you use a drip irrigation or a spray system those tiny little puddles left in the dirt are just perfect!
That banana is not ripe enough for butterflies! Mine love them when they are really mushy!
I like your video
Great video! What is the puddler that you guys are using called, and where can I purchase one like it? Thanks!
it looks like a glazed ceramic birdbath.
How do you keep mosquitoes from breeding in it after a rain?
Won’t the rain wash that out?
How often do I have to change it?
Would butterflies damage any of the other plants?
Caterpillars of most butterflies are picky eaters and will only eat one or two things. Cabbage whites might attack your veggie garden, but if you see a Monarch on anything but Milkweed, he's there to make a chrysalis, not a meal of your Geraniums.
What mineral is she using
I made a butterfly puddler for my monarchs two days ago and they don’t seem to want to use it. They fly around but never land. I made it with play sand and mixed some manure into it. I also placed a dish of old bananas and oranges on one side. The water keeps drying because the sand absorbs it. I keep filling with water and even when there’s water, the butterflies don’t use it. What am I doing wrong? If I decide to get rid of the puddler, what can I do with the sand and manure mix? Can I pour it in my garden? The puddler is only attracting ants and flies.
You aren't doing anything wrong. If they are flying around, they will eventually figure out this is for them. Once they do, they will return to the puddle over and over. If you have problems with it drying too quickly, add a dripper. A shepherd's hook (plant hanger) can support a length of drip tubing, with a 1/4" valve and emitter at the top. Set it to just drip 5 - 6 times a minute.
I do believe that Monarchs prefer fresh fruit. This puddling is for male butterflies This behavior is called puddling, and is mostly seen in male butterflies. That's because males incorporate those extra salts and minerals into their sperm. The first time it mates, a male butterfly may give away a third of its sodium to its reproductive partner. Now for the Monarchs and pretty butterflies that love nectar, I leave out fresh banana and such and use a sponge to soak up humming bird nectar and leave it out for them. m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2945675192318495&id=2253944324824922
Sun or shade?
Great video! Where do you buy sand tho?
Home Depot should have some and it's inexpensive.
As I go down the comment section it seems like many questions aren't answered.
Ok i watched it again to see if i missed it but you didnt mention how to deal with flies and yellow jackets and mosquitos. Esp with fruit. I love the idea but worry about uninvited guests. Does anyone else have issues with this? Want to do this project but am concerned.
I enjoyed this video but I now feel the need to buy a stair-master or a multi-functional omelette maker.
How often would I need to refresh the sand or manure? Is it good for the season or do I have to keep adding to it?
I personally would add some compost/manure every once in a while. Especially after a hard rain, it would probably wash lots of minerals away
would that attract mosquitoes
Not if maintained
What about ants? I don't want ants in the fruit or my garden or yard
134👍👍👍🔔🔔🔔🇹🇷süper
F
It’s impossible to keep sand moist for butterflies
If Arbor Gate can’t be bothered to answer questions, the comment section should be turned off.