Banana Brew Butterflies

The Upper Mississippi River Valley has so many different beautiful things to admire, even some insects. When you are cruising the Mississippi River many times you want to take a break and stop at a sand bar, and while there you notice some beautiful butterflies flying around. We all have seen butterflies of different types but did you know that there is actually a way to lure these butterflies to your houseboat or even your home personal garden. Many houseboaters have plants on their boats and sometimes on the dock in their immediate area. Many of us enjoy everything Mother Nature provides for us and in this case it's butterfies.
We have learned that not only is there certain plants to have around to lure butterflies there is also a concoction called Banana Brew.  Here's how to make it:  Take 10 pounds of over-ripe bananas, 1 pound of dark brown sugar, and one bottle or can of dark beer. You can also use yeast.  Mix the ingredients with a blender and put into buckets or containers to ferment. Be sure to leave room for expansion of the concoction and vent your brew. You might even have butterfies show up while making the brew if done outdoors. You can use the brew right away or store it for later, just be sure to vent the brew. The brew can be poured or brushed onto logs at sandbars or bring a piece of driftwood to your houseboat and brush it on and they will come. This brew was invented by the National Butterfly Center which is located in Texas. The claim is you will see butterflies that you may have never seen before. Butterfly season is rapidly coming to an end here in the Upper Mississippi River Valley but we are giving it a try and will defintely try it next season and we will post our results. We provided a link to their web site for you to get more information on which plants will lure butterflies to your boat or home garden.
Continue to follow Houseboating Excursions in the Mississippi River Valley as we cruise and explore more destinations and provide adventures, information and resources. Please Don't Move Firewood and Help Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers.