This is the best video I found on building a butterfly puddling station. I have most of the materials to make it, so thanks for taking the time to do this.
That is a question! You could poke holes in your tray to allow water to trickle out, or pour off any standing water and let it dry out a bit. I also keep some manure and sand on hand so I can restock the puddling pond every few weeks. So, a heavy rain that washes it all out may mean you need to rebuild the puddling pond. Good Luck!
Thanks! Can I omit the compost so I don’t have to change the sand every month? I have lots of butterflies already but I want to give them moisture without creating a high maintenance puddling thing.
The main ingredient is manure/compost. That is where all the minerals are the butterfly needs. The puddling ponds are a bit of maintenance as they dry out and the compost/manure should be updated every so often Good luck!
I also mix over ripe bananas and blend them then put them in a container of sand and manure, adding sea salt. My most priced ingredient that I learned from a butterfly advocate was to add stout beer to the mix and keep it in the mixture inside of a container for about 2 weeks. Then mix it really good and place it in the containers for the containers for the butterfly puddlers and since I've changed from the way that I use to make them to this... it's a much bigger success. Every now and then I'll add a whole over ripe banana and make a small slit in it and more Gatorade over it. I do use whole fresh bananas but only for the Monarchs.
Venjencia, Thank you for sharing this information. The Stout beer is new to me. It makes sense, I am going to try that. I have not used bananas but I look forward to trying that moving forward. Thanks again!
Anytime you have butterfly activity. In Minnesota where I live there is more activity near end of June through September. I am just starting to see Monarch and Swallowtails now. I usually wait for the puddling station until July.
You can go to Home Depot, Menards, Lowes, local garden centers. They merchandise it near there bags of black dirt. There should be a manure compost bag. Any extra you can use in your garden.
Mushroom compost is very salty, which works for butterflies. You should ensure you soak it well with water. Are you may want to mix mushroom compost with other compost or manure. This might give you a nice mix of minerals and moisture. Good Luck!
![WILD SCIENCE [Bonus Vid!]- DIY Butterfly Puddler](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/tnrMwavjPG8/mqdefault.jpg)
Can you imagine if parents did this cool project together this weekend to help the butterflies 🦋
Agreed, great project for parents with kids! Thanks Ms Coffee!
This is the best video I found on building a butterfly puddling station. I have most of the materials to make it, so thanks for taking the time to do this.
Gloria, I am glad you enjoyed the Butterfly Puddling video. Good luck on creating your station!
Thank you show me how to do this.❤❤❤❤
No problem 😊
Perfect video, I was just researching this last week. Thank you!!!
I am glad you enjoyed the video. Good luck with your puddling station!
I should have know I was looking for the butterfly guy the whole time. Thanks.
Good luck with your Puddling station!
You got beautiful butterfly garden.❤❤❤❤❤❤
So nice of you!
Oh we need one here in Paradise! Thanks!
Easy to make! Good Luck!
Not sure the slice of orange would last with the squirrels in my yard lol😀
The fruit doesn't last long outside, animals get it or the sun dries it up? At least your squirrels would get their vitamin C!
show if they come to it
Another butterfly lesson learned! Thanks DBG!
Thanks Heather! I appreciate you watching the videos!
Thanks , this was simple and great !!
Glad you liked it!
Just ordered a bird feeder which I’m going to use as a puddling station. Thank you for this demonstration! Have a great one
Glad it was helpful! Good luck!
Thank you Dave, for ANSWERING a majority of the questions us folks ask!!! We appreciate it =]
Jackie, I am glad I could help!
Thank you Dave! Very helpful.
Glad it was helpful!
Where I can get the compost manure?
You can get composted manure at most garden/landscape stores. Including, Home Depot, Menards, Lowes. Good Luck!
What if rain washes it I out
That is a question! You could poke holes in your tray to allow water to trickle out, or pour off any standing water and let it dry out a bit. I also keep some manure and sand on hand so I can restock the puddling pond every few weeks. So, a heavy rain that washes it all out may mean you need to rebuild the puddling pond. Good Luck!
Thanks! Can I omit the compost so I don’t have to change the sand every month? I have lots of butterflies already but I want to give them moisture without creating a high maintenance puddling thing.
The main ingredient is manure/compost. That is where all the minerals are the butterfly needs. The puddling ponds are a bit of maintenance as they dry out and the compost/manure should be updated every so often Good luck!
Just what I was looking for
Excellent, glad you found the puddling station video.
I also mix over ripe bananas and blend them then put them in a container of sand and manure, adding sea salt. My most priced ingredient that I learned from a butterfly advocate was to add stout beer to the mix and keep it in the mixture inside of a container for about 2 weeks. Then mix it really good and place it in the containers for the containers for the butterfly puddlers and since I've changed from the way that I use to make them to this... it's a much bigger success. Every now and then I'll add a whole over ripe banana and make a small slit in it and more Gatorade over it. I do use whole fresh bananas but only for the Monarchs.
Venjencia, Thank you for sharing this information. The Stout beer is new to me. It makes sense, I am going to try that. I have not used bananas but I look forward to trying that moving forward. Thanks again!
What kind of sand?
I just used a bag of play sand from Home Depot.
When is the best time to place this puddling station?
Anytime you have butterfly activity. In Minnesota where I live there is more activity near end of June through September. I am just starting to see Monarch and Swallowtails now. I usually wait for the puddling station until July.
where can you get the manure
You can go to Home Depot, Menards, Lowes, local garden centers. They merchandise it near there bags of black dirt. There should be a manure compost bag. Any extra you can use in your garden.
Does your tray have drainage holes
No drainage holes, you want the compost/sand mixture to stay very moist.
Thank you. Very cool video!
Cristina, I am super excited you enjoyed the video!
Does mushroom compost work?
Mushroom compost is very salty, which works for butterflies. You should ensure you soak it well with water. Are you may want to mix mushroom compost with other compost or manure. This might give you a nice mix of minerals and moisture. Good Luck!
Excellent tutorial.
Thanks Janis!
Great job 👏
Thank you! 😃