Steps to Building a House Yourself
A butterfly house can help to spruce up your garden by adding a landscaping element. There are many great variations on butterfly house plans but the great thing about them is that all of the variations are easy to build and can make a great craft project for a free afternoon.
This particular butterfly house can be made with scraps lying around your house. The finished product will have a country look to it.
Step 1 - Cutting the Frame
Do not worry about your pine wood being perfect. There is no reason to sand it down or paint it unless you want a very clean look instead of the butterfly house being more "country-ish". The first thing you want to do is measure out your pine wood. Use your ruler and pencil to measure and mark off the following sizes:
- Back: 4 1/2-inches by 18-inches
- Front: 4 1/2-inches by 18-inches
- Top: 7-inches by 7-inches
- Bottom: 4 1/2-inches by 6-inches
Now that you have your pieces measured it's a good idea to make a notation in the center of each one so you know which piece is the top, bottom, or side.
Step 2 - Adding Butterfly Entrances
Making the frame is just the beginning to this project. Now, create the openings that the butterflies will enter by using your ruler and pencil to measure out 3 12-inch by 1-inch wide slits, making the center slit an inch or two higher than the others. Once you're finished marking, cut them out.
Step 3 - Making a Butterfly House a Home
Lay your back panel down and arrange the tree bark pieces any way you want, but cover the entire back panel aside from a 1/4-inch space along each edge. Next, nail the tree bark in place with your hammer so they are secured to the pine back. Now, nail the front and back pieces to the bottom of the butterfly house, using one nail per 1/2-inch. Next, attach the side panels to the bottom of the construction and to the front and back panels you nailed together.
Step 4 - Finishing Touches
Your butterfly house is nearly complete. All you need now is to add the finishing touches to the inside of the butterfly house. Put a thin layer of moss at the bottom of the house, taking care to leave your slits and some of the bark uncovered. Add one or two branches with leaves to finish your decorating. Finally, nail the angled roof in place.
