Butterflies are known for their beauty, but they’re actually important pollinators that help promote the growth of your plants. There are many DIY butterfly feeder options that will add to your garden in a beautiful way, whether by using plates or those mason jars that are lying around your kitchen. So you can choose whatever fits best in your backyard landscape. The idea is that the more colorful, the better - since butterflies are attracted by bright colors!

Jar Butterfly Feeder

You can decorate it any way you please.
You can decorate it any way you please. Image source: BrightNest

For this one, you will need:

  • Glass jar
  • Nail and hammer
  • String
  • ½’’ metal washer
  • Glass beads
  • Silk flowers
  • Hot glue
  • Sugar
  • Water
  • Wire

And you can find all the steps you need to follow at eHow.

There’s also the option of a simpler feeder, only using the lid of the jar and some rotten fruit. Click here to find the instructions.

Related: Start an Organic Garden In 8 Simple Steps

Fruit Feeder

Beautiful and colorful!
Beautiful and colorful! Image source: Handmade Charlotte

Aside from the sweetness of water mixed with sugar, butterflies are also attracted to the smell of rotten fruit and, therefore, feed from it. Handmade Charlotte shows how to make this amazing hanging feeder in 8 simple steps, check it out!

And here are a few tips to avoid attracting animals like racoons and ants.

Under $15 Feeder

Enjoy this relaxing DIY butterfly feeder project.
Enjoy this relaxing DIY butterfly feeder project. Image source: Feeding Big

This beautiful addition to your garden helps your garden and the local wildlife. If you think it couldn’t get better, it can! Because this project requires materials that you might have around your home. Even if you don’t, it won’t cost you more than $15. These are the items:

  • 1 glass jar
  • Decorative marbles
  • Plate
  • 2 candlestick holders
  • Clear silicone tub and tile sealant

The first thing you’re going to do after thoroughly washing the jar, is attach the marbles to it by using the silicone sealant - seeing it’s waterproof, it will act as glue. Now it’s time to run a bead of sealant on the base of one of the candlestick holders and attaching it to the jar. Then take the other holder and run a bead of sealant on the top of it, turn it over and attach to the first holder. Once that’s done, attach the plate on the top. The last step is adding sugar water on the plate!

It’s important to remember that you need to let the sealant dry in between each step.

Related: 5 DIY Natural Weed Killer Recipes

Simple Plate Feeder

This DIY butterfly feeder is very simple to make and looks beautiful!
This DIY butterfly feeder is very simple to make and looks beautiful! Image source: Garden Therapy

This is a simple addition that also uses fruit as butterfly food. However, if you make it with a deeper plate, there’s still the option of using water and sugar - or even using small pieces of sponge sprinkled with sugar and soaked in water. You can find all the items and directions at Garden Therapy.

How about creating the perfect deck to enjoy the view while those butterflies add up to your backyard garden design? Check out these 7 Ways to Create the Perfect Deck this Summer.

Butterfly Salt Licks

A different addition to your garden that will also attract butterflies.
A different addition to your garden that will also attract butterflies. Image source: Minding my P’s With Q

Butterflies love salt as well as sugar. See why here, and find the directions to make this feeder at Minding my P’s With Q so you can start attracting more butterflies to your garden!

Which of these feeders is your favorite? Share your thoughts in the comments below and check out our DIY & Decor page for more inspiration!

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