Outdoor Butterfly Cage for Raising Monarch Caterpillars - EASY DIY build using an old side table

Full tutorial post: refreshliving....
Disclaimers:
- Plant MILKWEED - this is the ONLY way we are going to be able to help the endangered monarch population. And, make sure it's not sprayed with any pesticides or herbicides, please!
- Don't do this if you live in California. It's illegal to rear eggs, caterpillars, or even touch a butterfly in California.
- Keep your enclosure OUTSIDE - there's research that shows monarchs raised indoors do not have correct migratory instincts.
- There is no evidence that rearing caterpillars is helping the monarch population. We personally do it as an educational experience for my kids, and we don't place every egg or caterpillar we find in this cage. I've described how to safely raise monarch caterpillars in the post linked above.
- If you start to raise monarch caterpillars and become obsessed, don't blame me.

[@pmills524]

This is amazing. So simple and easy to do. Thanks for sharing

[@RefreshLiving]

You're welcome! It's so much easier to use than the mesh ones too

[@mermaidgal1001]

You are so talented!!!

[@rosmary3185]

This is nice. I'm trying to do it outdoors, but I'm having a hard time, and now I can see why. My first caterpillar disappeared after it was so big, and I guess a bird ate it. Now I have 9 and just realized one of them was eaten by ants, I'm so heartbroken. I have more work to do. Thank you for your video.

[@picklejuice0]

We grew 10 inside in a a small jar before they harden in their chrysalis. The smallest one 100% got eaten by the others.

[@elgrachie8662]

Thanks for sharing, my son wants a caterpillar/ butterfly enclosure for Christmas, this video was very helpful 😊

[@RefreshLiving]

So glad it helped! It's been holding strong for 3 years and has worked really well.

[@geoffreymcknight8495]

@refresh living what screen did you use thanks

[@audreydunn9788]

Thank you for sharing this!!!

[@shirosuki1]

Nice build!

[@katesmiles4208]

Fantastic. Thank you for posting.

[@kimwilliams6998]

Is that wood pressure treated?

[@RefreshLiving]

No, just pine 2x2s and unfinished. I wasn't sure if pressure treated would be okay for caterpillars. Do you happen to know?