Our Butterfly Nectar Kit and Homemade Alternatives
Where to Find Fruit Extract
Fruit extract can be found in the spice or baking section of your grocery store. Similar to vanilla extract, there are also extracts in a variety of fruit flavors. We use Anise extract in the lab but you can also use strawberry, watermelon, or whatever fruit extract your grocery store carries.
Are the kits organic and GMO free?
There are no genetically modified organisms in the butterfly nectar. There are no plant based products in the nectar except for bee pollen.
The nectar kit is not certified organic.
Nectar Kit Alternatives
If the you are worried about a certified organic nectar there are a few things they can do at home to feed butterflies. These should be changed every few days to prevent fermentation. A plastic pot scrubber should be placed in the dish to aid in feeding.
- Fresh cut flowers can be placed in containers and put in the cage
- Fresh fruit such as watermelons, honeydew or cantaloupe melons can be cut and set in the cage.
- Mix 1 part sugar or honey with 9 parts water and pour into a shallow dish or jar lid
If you have a large cage, the butterflies can learn to self-feed; the feeding solution should be placed near the top of the cage and relatively close to the light source.
Like most insects, monarchs will fly toward lighted windows or artificial lights. The butterflies should feed when their feet touch the nectar; if they are hungry the proboscis will extend and they will feed.
If they seem unable to locate the nectar source on their own, you can gently pick them up with their wings closed and place them on the pot scrubber.
