Plans for Making a Butterfly House

Design

• A basic butterfly house is tall and narrow, with a slanted roof, a closed floor, sides and back, and slots cut into the front for the butterflies to enter and leave. The slots will also keep out mice and birds that would enjoy having the butterflies for quick snacks.

Lumber

• You will need two boards for your butterfly house. The side panels and back of the butterfly house will be made from a board that is 1-inch thick by 8-inches wide by 5-feet long. The front, roof and floor of the butterfly house will be made from the other board. This board should be 1-inch thick by 10-inches wide by 3-feet long.

Sides and Back

• Measure the 5-foot board and mark three 20-inch lengths (sides and back). The two side pieces will need to have the top cut at a slight diagonal to allow the roof to slant. Make a mark on one edge of each side panel at 18-inches from the bottom. Draw a line from this mark up to the back corner and cut along this line, then repeat on the other side piece. (This should make the two side pieces 20-inches at the back and 18 inches at the front). Measure and mark the back piece to a width of about 5 ½-inches then trim. Use finish nails to attach the sides to the back piece with the roof slanting forward.

Check Your Measurements

• Stand your partially-assembled butterfly house up to get an exact measurement for the front-panel opening. This opening should be roughly 5 ½-inches, but you will want to make sure to cut your panel to the correct measurement.

Front Panel, Roof and Floor

• Measure and mark the second board to create your front panel, roof and floor. The front panel should measure 18-inches by 5 ½-inches. The roof should measure approximately 7-inches by 9 ½-inches while the floor piece will be 5 ½-inches by 5 ¾-inches. Use a drill and a chisel to create six slots in the front panel. These slots should be no wider than ¾ -inch and approximately 3-inches in length.

Putting It Together

• Use finish nails to attach the roof and floor to the previously assembled back and sides. Attach a large piece of tree bark to the inside back of the butterfly house. This will give the butterflies an area to grasp as they are resting inside. This butterfly house can be painted and mounted on a post in your garden.