How To Create Your Own Caterpillar Nursery

There are so many predators that eat caterpillars so raising them in an enclosure is a great idea. I used a Glad container and covered the top with a netted footy you get at a shoe store. This container worked great for raising them when they were small.

I put a paper towel in the bottom so I can easily clean up the caterpillar droppings. Each morning I put in three milkweed leaves. I ripped a small piece of paper towel, wet it, and then wrapped it around the milkweed stem to keep the leaves from wilting too quickly.

My monarch caterpillars attached themselves to the plastic container when ready to molt.

 

As they got bigger I started adding more leaves. I put new leaves in the morning and before I went to bed. When they reached almost a inch I put them outside in my pavilion. Then once they had had their fill I brought them back inside to make chrysalises.

 

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