Butterfly hibernating box

With the loss of so much natural habitat, non-migrating butterflies like the mourning cloak can be helped with man-made shelters.

This is an excellent summer time project to have ready for fall positioning.

Some butterflies hibernate in the winter in all parts of North America. The mourning cloak spends the winter in many regions, the question mark and comma in the east, and the satyr anglewing in the west.

You can provide thes e and others with a suitable hibernating spot in your back yard. All you need is rectangular wooden box - probably cedar is the best - with narrow vertical holes cut into it. These are for the butterflies to enter and leave.

Place long strips of bark inside the house. The bark gives butterflies something to hang onto while hibernating.

Many home improvement places and garden centers sell butterfly hibernating boxes.

Always place a butterfly hibernation box in the shade as the occupants will not overheat. Also, place it close to nectar producing shrubs and flowers.

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