What are /r/MonarchButterfly's favorite Products & Services?

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Yeah they look healthy...did you not end up going with flower foam tho? It helps those leaves (and larger cuttings) stay fresher longer.

Also maybe you got one but the Kritter Keepers help keep all the frass (poop) in one place and is much easier to clean. Once a day I just take it to the bathroom, remove and rinse the foam (remove frass and re-wet it too) then fill the Keeper with some water and dump it in the toilet. Also like I said the lid of the keeper gives them somewhere good to make their chrysalis as well as make sure you don't end up with an adult butterfly loose in your house.

http://imgbox.com/Yr4Exnwq

http://imgbox.com/4Jw0RSyg

(This was last year when I really had too many in one)

You can get one for around $10.

I use this one but as long as you find one that goes up to 100x magnifying

Carson MicroFlip 100x-250x LED and UV Lighted Pocket Microscope with Flip Down Slide Base and Smartphone Digiscoping Clip (MP-250 or MP-250MU) https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B015MS8O48/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_WSFEEQCM3GPDT2J7HMEP

It’s hard to know exactly what is happening without pics, but it does sound like OE since a few managed to make it to a butterfly. If they have NPV or another bacteria, they will die as a caterpillar. I’m in California and it is very prevalent here. Many of us have a plant which we collect eggs from, bring them inside and do a bleach treatment, and then raise them with milkweed that has also been bleached even if they are covered plants. Even with all this intervention, a few manage to have OE. It’s very easy to test for OE, there is a good video on Dr. Lund Science and this a a good and inexpensive microscope Carson MicroBrite Plus 60x-120x... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LAX52IQ?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Thus far my experience is they can't eat through this. It's not a bad price and I highly recommend:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09PV8BKND?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1

Hey! I just started a Monarch Waystation at my house this year. I purchased this raised covered planter from Amazon! I’d recommend you don’t actually plant in it though and just keep swapping out potted milk weed and other plants that are currently in bloom. I also stapled down 3 sides to the wood and used velcro to keep the opening side down. I do this as I’ve notice In the wind, sometimes the sides blow out and leave opening for caterpillars or butterflies to escape. To see more Of my set up, I have a “butterfly” highlight in both my Instagrams @ThatHyphyWifey and @AnotherCrazyPlantLady Your welcome to DM me on there if you have any additional questions! Good luck! My “Butterfly Enclosure”

these

I used these over my milkweed plants (which were in pots). You could try this around yours but unless you really secure the bottom part (turn them upside down to place on top of your plant)... the wasps will still get in! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002V919A8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

I used [Liquid Stitch](www.amazon.com/dp/B0018NA0F8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_PN40TBB2E9VXGC6FBQEW) and built up enough layers (put a drop, let dry, add another drop) to create a stem, until it was enough to wrap dental floss.

I advise buying an enclosure rather than just a net. I have two of this one & I use this to vacuum the frass out of the bottom every couple of days. Too many predators can get under a net. For example, I watched a wasp tear down a chrysalis from the bottom of a table outdoors and eat the entire thing.

Floral tubes with caps work great for milkweed cuttings!! I got this one for my 15x24 enclosure. I would think they have different sizes.

10Pcs 60Ml Floral Tubes with Rack Holder for Milkweed Cuttings https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GZHX7Y8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_VDPFHWPBH3XYj

I’m in Jacksonville, so about 3 hours from Tallahassee. A majority of my plants are in pots, but I do have quite a few in the ground. The ones that are in the ground I look over and find caterpillars and put them in the butterfly house. Having milkweed in pots makes it easier to rotate food in and out of the house. I put a link for the butterfly house, it’s nothing fancy, but it works very well.

netted butterfly safe house