Butterflies bring beauty, charm, and life to any garden. If you’d like to attract more of these delicate pollinators, offering them a source of food is an effective way to draw them in. One creative and inexpensive method is to make a banana hanger—a simple butterfly feeder that uses overripe bananas to lure butterflies into your yard. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to create one.
Why Use a Banana Hanger?
Butterflies love sweet, fermented fruit. While nectar from flowers is a natural food source, some butterflies—especially species like Red Admirals, Question Marks, and Mourning Cloaks—are drawn to sugary, decaying fruit. A banana hanger mimics this source of food and provides a feast that keeps them coming back.
Materials You’ll Need
To make a banana hanger, gather the following:
- 1-2 overripe bananas (the darker, the better)
- Twine, string, or fishing line
- Wire or a small hook
- Scissors
- A stick, small branch, or coat hanger (to use as a frame)
- Optional: A mesh produce bag (to contain the banana if desired)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Choose Your Location
Pick a quiet, sunny spot in your garden with plenty of nearby flowers. Avoid overly windy areas. Butterflies like warmth and shelter, so placing the hanger near shrubs or flowering plants is ideal.
2. Prepare the Banana
Let your banana get very ripe—brown and soft. Peel it or slice it in half lengthwise. The fruit should be mushy enough to emit a strong, sweet smell that attracts butterflies.
3. Make the Hanger Frame
Use a stick, small branch, or a metal coat hanger bent into a circular or hook shape. This will serve as the support for the banana.
- If using a branch, tie the string to each end so it hangs horizontally like a swing.
- If using a coat hanger, you can create a spiral or hook at the bottom for the banana to hang from.
4. Attach the Banana
You have a few options:
- Direct hanging: Tie string around the banana and suspend it from the frame.
- Bag method: Place the banana in a mesh produce bag, then tie the bag to the frame. This helps contain mess and can slow the rate of rotting.
- Skewer method: Push a skewer or thin stick through the banana and suspend it horizontally like a perch.
Make sure the banana is secure but visible and accessible to butterflies.
5. Hang the Feeder
Use wire or strong string to suspend the frame from a tree branch, pergola, or shepherd’s hook. Ensure it’s about 4–6 feet off the ground—high enough to avoid ants and low enough to observe the butterflies.
Tips to Maximize Butterfly Visits
- Keep it Fresh: Replace the banana every 2–3 days or when it dries out. You can also mash old bananas and smear them on tree bark nearby.
- Add Variety: Mix in other fruits like oranges, peaches, or watermelon rinds for added appeal.
- Ferment for Impact: Let fruit sit outside a day or two to increase fermentation, which butterflies love.
- Reduce Ants: Sprinkle cinnamon or use an ant moat (like for hummingbird feeders) to keep insects at bay.
- Provide Water: Butterflies also need moisture. Set out a shallow dish with damp sand or mud to offer “puddling” opportunities.
Bonus: Educational and Kid-Friendly
Making a banana hanger is a great activity for kids and families. It encourages learning about pollinators, biology, and conservation while helping local ecosystems thrive.
Final Thoughts
A banana hanger is a simple, eco-friendly way to support butterflies while adding a touch of whimsy to your garden. With a few materials and a bit of patience, you’ll soon be rewarded with fluttering visitors dancing through your yard. So grab those overripe bananas and turn them into a butterfly buffet—nature will thank you!