Raising butterflies is a magical journey! To ensure your caterpillars thrive, please follow these care guidelines and familiarize yourself with our survival guarantees.
🛡️ Our Guarantees & Policies
Because we are working with living creatures, timing and communication are key!
- Egg Hatch Rate: We guarantee at least a 50% hatch rate (though most of our customers see nearly all of them hatch!).
- The 5-Day Rule: Eggs typically hatch within 2–3 days. If you see no activity after 5 days, please send us a clear photo for a replacement or refund.
- Live Arrival: We guarantee caterpillars will arrive alive. However, because we cannot control their environment or care once they reach you, we can only guarantee their health upon arrival.
- 12-Hour Window: If your caterpillars arrive unwell, you must contact us within 12 hours of delivery with photos to qualify for a refund or replacement.
🌿 Meal Prep: Before They Arrive
Caterpillars are famous for their appetites! Please ensure you have their habitat ready before they ship.
- Pesticide-Free Only: Ensure all host plants or food sources are strictly organic and pesticide-free.
- Live Plants are Best: For the healthiest butterflies, we recommend raising them on live, potted plants.
- The “Rule of Three”: It’s hard to predict exactly how much one caterpillar will eat, but a good rule of thumb is to have 2–3 large plants (2 feet or taller) available per caterpillar. It is always better to have too much food than not enough!
- Never Run Out: Add a fresh plant as soon as the current one looks low on leaves.
🏠 Daily Care & Environment
- Temperature: Keep your habitat in a warm spot, ideally 70°F or higher.
- Lighting: Keep them out of direct sunlight to prevent overheating.
- Cleanliness: If using containers with cut plants, ensure the leaves are dry and the container is free of condensation. Clean the container daily to maintain a healthy, bacteria-free environment.
✨ The Transformation Timeline
Nature works at its own pace, but here is what you can generally expect:
- Egg to Chrysalis: This stage takes about 2–3 weeks (depending on the warmth of your home).
- The “Waiting Room” (Chrysalis): Your butterfly will emerge in approximately 7–14 days.
- Release Day: You can release your butterfly once its wings are fully hardened and dry. Always release during the daytime so they can find their way!