Butterflies are active pollinators, just as important but less threatening than bees. Welcome them into your garden with a protective butterfly house that safeguards monarchs, tiger swallowtails and other winged wonders from the elements and predators. This project features thin slits that simulate the dark nooks and crannies in which butterflies usually hide. Inside the house, thin layers of rough bark against the walls give the butterflies a foothold in their abode. After butterfly season, simply tip back the lid and pressure-wash the house clean.
Download both butterfly house plans here!
| You Will Need | |||||
| Hinge-Front House | Size | Qty. | Ball-top House | Size | Qty. |
| Front and back | 3/4" x 8" x 18" | 2 | Back | 3/4" x 8" x 16 1/2" | 1 |
| Sides | 3/4" x 6 1/2" x 15 1/8" | 2 | Front | 3/4" x 8" x 14 1/2" | 1 |
| Bottom | 3/4" x 4 1/2" x 8" | 1 | Sides | 3/4" x 7" x 12" | 2 |
| Front peak support | 3/4" x 2" x 8" | 1 | Bottom | 3/4" x 5" x 8" | 1 |
| Door-stop cleats | 1/4" x 3/4" x 13 1/2" | 2 | Awning | 3/4" x 1 1/2" x 6 3/8" | 1 |
| Roof | 3/4" x 9" x 7 1/2" | 2 | Lid base | 3/4" x 4 7/8" x 7 7/8" | 1 |
| Front pull | 3/4" x 1 1/8" x 6" | 1 | Lid layers | 3/4" x 9" x 11 1/2" | 1 |
| Hinges | 2 | Lid layers | 3/4" x 7" x 9 1/2" | 1 | |
| Magnetic catch | 1 | Lid layers | 3/4" x 5" x 7 1/2" | 1 | |
| Lid layers | 3/4" x 3" x 5 1/2" | 1 | |||
| Ball top | 2 1/2" dia. | 1 | |||
How to build the hinge-front house
Cut the front and back parts eight inches wide with a tablesaw, then mark and cut a pair of angles at the top and bottom ends, 20° from square, forming a 140° peak. While you have your saw adjusted, you might as well cut the peak support and front pull too. These are both smaller than the other angled parts, so to keep things safe, start with wood that's longer than necessary. Cut all the peak angles, then crosscut to final length. The total length of the front and back pieces should be 18" from tip to tip. You'll use the back piece this size, but the front needs a little more work.
First, mark a line across the width of the front, 3 1/4" up from the bottom peaked end. Tilt your saw blade 20° from square, then crosscut along the line. This creates an angled hinge line that allows the front to tilt open, and it also sheds rainwater. Cut a series of slotted entry holes on the larger top part of the front piece. I made these vertical slots by drilling 1/2"-dia. holes three inches apart, then connected the holes with jigsaw cuts. The top of the centre slot is three inches down from the peak, while the tops of the side slots are 3/4" lower and 1 1/2" to either side.
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