Butterfly Puddler

Do instructions arrive with the product? I love the puddler, but I am worried that the recipient won't know what to do with it if there is no explanation. Thanks!

Verified reply from Jamie

Yes! Jo-Anne and Gerald include instructions along with a small bag of minerals to get your butterfly puddler started. Hope this helps!

What is the width of perimeter size

Verified reply from Alexis R

Approx. 8.5" L x 8.5" W

Hi, I had this product for over a year now and I never seen a single butterfly land on the puddler they only go to the flowers. Is there something else that might attract butterflies to the puddler?

Verified reply from Alexis R

Have you followed all instructions? To attract butterflies to your garden, place the butterfly puddler in a sunny, protected place. Fill the well with sand, and then cover with water. Butterflies crave the minerals & salts left behind as the water evaporates. Refill with water when needed. You can also place overripe fruit on the puddler, or add a pinch of salt to the water to attract the butterflies. Make sure it's the correct season as well. However we want you to love everything you buy from us, and we'll gladly assist you with a return or exchange. Please call our customer service line at 1.888.365.0056 if you decide the puddler isn't for you.

for the butterfly puddler, what do you mean by a "protected place in the garden/ what am I protecting the puddler from??? thank you!

Verified reply from Valerie

You'll want to place this puddler in an area where butterflies will feel welcomed and safe. Butterflies like to blend in with their environment, so the puddler would be more successful among plants and flowers than in an exposed area where the butterflies may be vulnerable to predators such as birds.

Do ants ever become a problem--are they attracted to the contents?

Verified reply from Marisa

Nope! Ants like sugar, and there's none here.

does this also attract dragonflies or just butterflies??

Verified reply from Marisa

Just butterflies. To attract dragonflies, you'd need a lot more water.

My best friend is a butterfly expert...I think this would make a great gift for her. However, she is very concerned about the harmful substances in the environment. Could you assure me this puddler has no harmful substances...Believe me, she is a well documented expert.

Verified reply from Marisa

Thanks for your question. There is no lead, nor are there other harmful substances, in our Butterfly Puddler. UncommonGoods does not sell items with lead in them, period.

Can the puddler be used out of the garden, say on a deck or stoop?

Verified reply from Paul

While the puddler can be used outside of a garden, it will be more successful and more quickly successful within an environs that is friendly to butterflies. The puddler will encourage butterflies to return, but they need to be their in the first place to discover your treat for them.

my mother lost her packet of sand, can any sand or rock salt be used with the water?

Verified reply from Cassie, Community Moderator

Yes, you can use your own sand. Adding a pinch of rock salt to the sand may help attract more butterflies, but it isn't absolutely necessary. We did reach out to the makers of the Butterfly Puddler to get their suggestions, and they said that most sands are fine, but if you're using store-bought sand, you should check to make sure that it is free of herbicides. It's also best to avoid colored sands, because the dye in them may be harmful to your winged visitors.

who makes and where is this made?

Verified reply from Marisa

Our Butterfly Puddler is made by stoneware artisans Jo-Anne & Gerald Warren in their studio in Canada. If you like the puddler, you may enjoy checking out some more of their work, here: http://www.uncommongoods.com/artist?20348. Note that this information and a lot more is in the product story, handily located below and to the right of the photo of each item on our site. Thanks for shopping with UncommonGoods!