I have never purchased a butterfly feeder but have had a few species on my hummingbird feeders. I guess they work well in an enclosed area like those used in conservatories. Butterflies out in the wild have a large variety of plants to nectar from so the only time I see them on the hummingbird feeders is when nothing is in bloom and it is terribly hot. Now if you want to attract the brush foots you can mix up a batch of butterfly brew and dab that on an old fence post or tree branch or make your own hanging feeders using a section of log with some grooves cut in it so the brew has a place to pool. ~Cat

Hanging butterfly feeder plates: THEY REALLY REALLY WORK. Posted by mcronin Making the hanging feeder plates I drilled three holes in the edges of plastic plates (or metal tops to containers), strung wire through each hole, connected the three wires at the top of the plate, and used wire to hang them at least 10 feet below small branches of trees. The long wire is to keep squirrels and other animals off the feeders. Hang them far enough from trees, etc. so animals like squirrels can't jump to them. Mine hang about 10 feet off the ground and I use a stepladder to reach them with butterfly food. Hang them in an area that you can SAFELY reach with a stepladder and where they will get enough sun to encourage butterflies to visit. Butterfly food recipe I use a pail with a tight lid to hold the butterfly food. I cut up a dozen over-ripe bananas into chunks, add two cans of cheap beer, one or two bottles of molasses, and a pound of brown sugar. I mix it up in the pail and let it ferment for about a week; then fill the plates. You can use other fruits such as mangos, watermelon, etc. Experiment with what you can get ( sometimes for free if your grocery store is discarding spoiled fruit) and what works best for the butterflies that you want to attract. Tips on using the feeder plates I cover my plates with regular fiberglass screen and secure the screening on each plate with 3-5 big paper clamps. The goal is to prevent unwanted insects from getting UNDER the screening . The butterflies can feed through the screen, but unwanted other insects usually can't ( they will collect on TOP of the screens, but the butterflies generally ignore them ). I try to remember to put plastic plates face down on top of the screens on the plates if rain is expected. I do this to prevent the butterfly feeding mixture from being too diluted from heavy rains. Hopeful results Butterflies flock to these plates including anglewings, red admirals. red-spotted purples, painted ladies, and mourning cloaks. This system provides us daily visits by our "winged jewels" on sunny days in spring, summer, and fall. It is well worth the limited effort to attract these types of butterflies which seldom, if ever, visit our flowers for nectar.

Materials Needed: Decorative Saucer (found at local thrift shop etc.) Copper Tubing (1/2" about 2-3 long) Copper End Cap (to fit 1/2" or whatever size your tubing is) Strong Silicone Glue (GE II outdoor use, clear) Piece of rebar or other strong pipe to pound into the ground Assembly Steps: Glue the copper end cap onto the bottom of your saucer and let dry throughly. Pound your piece of rebar or pipe into the ground. Slip your copper tubing over the piece of rebar. Attach the copper tubing into the copper end cap of your saucer. Put assorted fruits on the saucer to attack butterflys. *If giving as a gift: It is a nice touch to include the Butterfly Feeder Poem to best describe your creation. Butterfly Feeder Poem (By:MrsPackRat-GW) Oh butterfly do stop and rest I made this perch for you to test. I've put out some fruit for you to eat in hopes that you and I might meet. I love to watch your graceful glide and see your colors in the sky. So have yourself a little retreat while I admire you as you eat.

Materials Needed: Decorative Saucer (found at local thrift shop etc.) Copper Tubing (1/2" about 2-3 long) Copper End Cap (to fit 1/2" or whatever size your tubing is) Strong Silicone Glue (GE II outdoor use, clear) Piece of rebar or other strong pipe to pound into the ground Assembly Steps: Glue the copper end cap onto the bottom of your saucer and let dry throughly. Pound your piece of rebar or pipe into the ground. Slip your copper tubing over the piece of rebar. Attach the copper tubing into the copper end cap of your saucer. Put assorted fruits on the saucer to attack butterflys. *If giving as a gift: It is a nice touch to include the Butterfly Feeder Poem to best describe your creation. Butterfly Feeder Poem (By:MrsPackRat-GW) Oh butterfly do stop and rest I made this perch for you to test. I've put out some fruit for you to eat in hopes that you and I might meet. I love to watch your graceful glide and see your colors in the sky. So have yourself a little retreat while I admire you as you eat.