Build A Butterfly House In 5 Steps

A butterfly house can help to spruce up your garden by adding a landscaping element. There are many great variations on butterfly house plans but the great thing about them is that all of the variations are easy to build and can make a great craft project for a free afternoon.

This particular butterfly house can be made with scraps lying around your house. The finished product will have a country look to it.

Step 1 - Cutting the Frame

Do not worry about your pine wood being perfect. There is no reason to sand it down or paint it unless you want a very clean look instead of the butterfly house being more "country-ish". The first thing you want to do is measure out your pine wood. Use your ruler and pencil to measure and mark off the following sizes:

• Back: 4 1/2-inches by 18-inches
• Front: 4 1/2-inches by 18-inches
• Top: 7-inches by 7-inches
• Bottom: 4 1/2-inches by 6-inches

Now that you have your pieces measured it's a good idea to make a notation in the center of each one so it is easy to see which is the top, bottom or sides.

Step 2 - Adding Butterfly Entrances

Making the frame is just the beginning to this project. Now, create the openings that the butterflies will enter by using your ruler and pencil to measure out 3 12-inch by 1-inch wide slits then cut them out. Make the center slit an inch or two higher than the other two slits.

Step 3 - Making a Butterfly House a Home

First, lay your back panel down and arrange the tree bark pieces any way you want to but cover the entire back panel leaving a 1/4-inch space along each edge. Next, nail the tree bark in place with your hammer so they are secured to the pine back. Now, nail the front and back pieces to the bottom of the butterfly house using one nail per 1/2-inch. Next, attach the side panels to the bottom of the construction as well as to the front and back panels you just attached.

Step 4 - Finishing Touches

Your butterfly house is nearly complete. All you need to do now is add the finishing touches to the inside of the butterfly house. Put a thing layer of moss at the bottom of the butterfly house being careful not to cover an opening or too much of the bark. Add one or two branches with trees to finish your decorating of the inside. Finally, nail the angled roof in to place.

Step 5 – Hanging

Hanging your butterfly house is easy. The best place to put it is near a butterfly bush or other area they frequent. You can hang the butterfly house from a tree limb but the best course of action is to affix the butterfly house to a pole or tall, wooden stake close to the butterfly bush.