The link below will probably cover it. If this is not the kind of butterfly house you received, please describe what you have.

KC

Here is a link that might be useful: Butterfly Houses

Thanks to KC for the annual revival of Stuart's parody.

belle: Use your granddaughter for guidance here by asking her "Where do you think we should put it?".

Otherwise, there is no best place if you are only considering the needs of actual butterflies.

Perhaps the gift can be converted to a bird house.

Since it's a gift from your sweet granddaughter, (assuming she is fairly young), I would just play along about your wonderful new butterfly house. She doesn't have to know that they really won't use it. (if it's the kind in the link.)

Hehehe!!

I'd forgotten about Stuart's butterfly house - classic!

Sherry

I have one hanging in my garden and I put there full well knowing that it was only decorative and wouldn't do a thing for butterflies. :-) I just like a little decor to go along with my flowers... that's why I have a "welcome sign" and toad statue, and a few birdbaths and bird houses, etc. So I say hang it up and love it and let it add to the beauty of your yard and don't ever say a word to her about it not being used.

~L

I have one too! They look great in the garden.

Sandy

Below is a link for building a real butterfly house.

Here is a link that might be useful: How to Make a Butterfly Log Cabin

Very practical. Someone should sell it as a kit.

I have a few of those in my yard! Who knew I had invented a butterfly log cabin!

In my yard that we call it a critter apartment. Starting with the groundhog on the lower level, the chipmunks next, then the mice on the second floor, then perhaps the butterflies on the third, then the water snakes on top sunning themselves while waiting for a snack to appear.

I can't turn over or open anything without fear of somebody saying "hi". The best are the nursery web spiders who like to hang out eye level on my barn door. My DH has his lawn mower in there and is afraid of spiders. It is really fun to watch a 6'4' guy sprint across the yard for his wife to remove the tarantula.

Ah nature! Got to love it!

-Elisabeth