Monday, February 24, 2020

How to Attract Butterflies to Your Home


Nothing sets a more idyllic scene in your backyard than a group of butterflies lilting playfully around your flowers. If you’ve ever wanted to add a little wildlife to your scenery, then it’s a noble endeavor. Butterflies don’t just add a peaceful ambiance to your property--their ability to promote pollination also helps your local ecosystem to thrive.

With the right landscaping and irrigation services in MA, you can build a picture-perfect butterfly garden. Here are a few tips to help you get started:

Plant Native Flowering Plants: In many cases, butterflies and flowering plants have co-evolved with one another. When planning your garden, start with native flowers that grow locally in your geographic area. The plants provide nectar and foliage that butterflies and caterpillars need to live.

Stay Away from Insecticides: Many insecticides on the market today are lethal to butterflies. If there is one thing to remember about these chemicals, it’s that they don’t discriminate between insects you want and those you don’t. It’s best to steer clear of pesticides entirely, anywhere on your lawn or garden, if you want to attract butterflies.

Think about the Life Cycles of Butterflies: The art of attracting butterflies to your garden rests on providing what they need throughout their life cycle. Have plants that allow butterflies to pollinate and rest, while also providing foliage to lay their eggs and for growing caterpillars. It’s also helpful to include damp spots of dirt or sand for “puddling,” which allow butterflies to absorb water and nutrients.

Starting a butterfly garden from scratch can be challenging, but the effort is worth it. If you aren’t sure where to begin, choose a professional gardener for landscaping and irrigation services.