Songbird Essentials Butterfly Nectar

Songbird Essentials' Butterfly Nectar Mix is an all-natural formula developed and tested by a professional entomologist and butterfly breeder. The nectar is designed to attract and nourish these beautiful and beneficial pollinators. The formulation contains sugar, sodium salts, and trace minerals that are appealing to butterflies, and it also includes orchicae extracts as flavor attractants.

Making the Butterfly Nectar is a simple process. To create the nectar solution, users need to add 1 tablespoon of the mix to 1 1/4 cups of boiling water, stir until fully dissolved, and then allow it to cool. The 5-ounce pack makes 104 ounces (3.25 quarts) of nectar. Any unused nectar can be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks, but it should be changed at least every 5 days to prevent spoilage.

The Butterfly Nectar Mix is intended to be offered in the Songbird Essentials Butterfly Feeder, but it can also be placed in a shallow dish or saucer with a textured bottom. Pebbles or sand can be added to the container to provide perches for the butterflies as they drink. Additionally, pieces of overripe fruit, such as bananas, watermelon, or oranges, can be added to further attract the butterflies.

The nectar can also be applied directly to flowers using a spray bottle. In this case, a weaker solution of 2 tablespoons of nectar mix dissolved in 4 cups of boiling water should be used, and it should be allowed to cool before application.

Butterflies are naturally attracted to fermenting fruits, as the breakdown of the fruit releases liquids that are easy for them to consume. Offering chunks of overripe bananas, watermelon, apples, or pears, and poking them with a fork to create juicy spaces, can be an effective way to attract butterflies to the garden.

Male butterflies also engage in a behavior known as "puddling," where they gather salt and minerals from damp pebbles, wet gravel, or even animal scat. This behavior aids in reproduction and helps with egg development in females. Creating a butterfly puddler using a small, shallow container filled with sand or soil and a few small rocks can provide a place for butterflies to gather these essential nutrients.

To create a butterfly-friendly habitat, it is important to avoid the use of chemical pesticides, fertilizers, or herbicides, as these can be detrimental to the butterflies and other species in the area. Instead, focus on planting a variety of native flowering and fruiting plants that will provide a continuous source of food throughout the seasons. Additionally, creating a butterfly house or other sheltered areas can provide a safe space for these fluttering residents.

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