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Butterfly Care and Release Instructions
| Indian Legend
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Guarantee
Butterfly Release Controversy:
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When should I place my order? Place
your order at least 2 weeks in advance during April through July as these
are popular months for weddings. During the rest of the year we require
only 10 days notice for orders. We recommend you place your order as soon
as possible to avoid any last minute disappointments. We take orders up to
1 year in advance.
How many butterflies should I order?
The average order is 2 dozen per 50 guests. For an individual butterfly
release you can order one per guest or couple, or select certain guests to
participate, such as the wedding party and family. Or releasing several
dozen butterflies at once from a basket by
the bride and groom is also very attractive.
How warm does it need to be to release
Butterflies? Butterflies will only take flight when the temperature is
above 62°F, but the warmer the better!
Painted Lady Butterflies
require at least 72°F You can check
the history of the
Average Temperature for your area to be sure your butterfly release
will be a success.
What if I
place an order, but the weather turns bad?
If the forecast is
unfavorable, call us at least three(3) days
before the event, and we will gladly cancel the order and refund the full
purchase amount. We don't penalize you
for Mother Nature's indecisions!
Can I release butterflies at night?
There must be at least 30 minutes of light left once you release them so
they can find a place to roost for the evening. To find the exact time
that the sun will set for your date and location visit
http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneDay.html.
How do the butterflies survive shipping?
Each butterfly is fed and carefully placed inside our triangular
cardstock boxes for their safety. They are surrounded by soft padding and
packaged in an insulated cooler with a cool-pack. The cool temperature
combined with minimal light keeps the butterflies calm and naturally
inactive during shipping. Butterflies are sent via overnight delivery to
arrive the day before your event.
What should I do when my Butterflies arrive?
Complete instructions on how to care for and release your butterflies
will accompany your order.
What happens
to them after release? We ship butterflies the USDA has approved for
your area of the country so that only butterflies indigenous to your area
are released. If you have flowers and host plants for the butterflies
nearby, they may stay a while or even take up residency for the remainder
of the season.
Butterfly Care and Release
instructions:
1) WHEN THE BUTTERFLIES ARRIVE:
Butterflies are sent via overnight delivery to arrive the day before your
event. Open the top of the package for ventilation and store the
butterflies in a cool, dark place away from direct light until ready to
transport to the event. This will keep them calm. Your only commitment
is to keep the box in a cool, dark place until you are ready to transport
them to your event. When transporting the butterflies, do not leave them
in a parked car for more than a few minutes, especially if it is a warm
day, and remember to keep them covered and away from direct sunlight.
2) TO RELEASE BUTTERFLIES INDIVIDUALLY:
Open the top of the shipping container to expose the butterfly boxes to
light and allow them to warm (5 minutes if cooler day or less is necessary
if the day is warm and sunny). This stimulates the butterflies and will
make them active again. Then pass out the butterfly boxes at the
appropriate moment. The butterflies are released by simply unfolding the
boxes to open them. As soon as the envelope is open wide enough for the
butterfly to flap a wing, the butterfly should take flight. The majestic
butterflies will wing their way into the air creating a brilliant show-stopping
splash of color. If they find nectar flowers in the immediate area they
may even hang around for a while to delight you and your guests before
going off to start a new lifecycle.
3) TO RELEASE BUTTERFLIES FROM A
BASKET: Transfer the butterflies into
a prepared release basket or other attractive release container. To remove
the butterflies from the boxes, gently hold the butterfly's body in place
from the outside of the envelope at the thorax (where the legs are
attached) to steady the butterfly inside the envelope and open the
envelope flap with the opposite hand. Grasp the butterfly's wings between
your thumb and forefinger just above the thorax and pull it free of
envelope. While you should apply a firm, but gentle, touch, you need not
be concerned about injury to the wings from touching them. The scales (coloring)
do not affect its ability to fly. Transfer the butterflies to a basket
BEFORE transporting to the wedding, and keep the basket covered (a towel)
to shield them from light until arriving at the location. Warm them up
prior to the release by exposing them to light (15 minutes if cooler day
or less is necessary if the day is warm and sunny) OR they may be left
exposed on display for the length of the ceremony if you wish, as long as
they are not in direct sunlight. The light stimulates the butterflies and
makes them active.
4) DURING THE RELEASE: As they
emerge from their boxes or release baskets, an appointed guest can read
the words from the American Indian
Legend below. Or you may certainly write your own dedication
to provide a cue for the butterfly release.
Then, enjoy the moment and celebrate the day. The butterflies certainly
will.
Native Indian
Legend
According to an American
Indian Legend -
If anyone desires a wish to come true they must first
capture a butterfly and whisper that wish to it.
Since a butterfly can make no sound, the butterfly can not reveal
the wish to anyone but the Great Spirit who hears and sees all.
In gratitude for giving the beautiful butterfly its freedom,
the Great Spirit always grants the wish.
So, according to legend, by making a wish and giving the butterfly its
freedom,
the wish will be taken to the heavens and be granted.
We offer only the highest quality farm
raised butterflies for release. We guarantee that you will receive your
butterflies live, vibrant and healthy. Additionally, we include an extra
butterfly per dozen purchased. In the unlikely occurrence that you find
any problem with your order, notify us immediately and we will make
every effort to immediately correct the situation or refund your money
for the expired butterflies once they are returned to us. If you see
that the weather is not going to cooperate, give us three days before
your event, and we will gladly cancel the order and refund the full
purchase amount. We don't penalize you for Mother Nature's indecisions!
If you cancel your order for any other reason there is a 15%
cancellation fee. We will not issue refunds for orders due to ship
October 1 - May 15th as these months are generally too cold in the
northern states to ship butterflies. Our commitment to customer
satisfaction does not end when you make your purchase, but only when you
have experienced the everlasting joy of your successful butterfly
release!
*Butterfly Release Baskets must be ordered at least 10 days before the
event or we cannot guarantee their arrival before your event. All Prices
Subject to Change Without Notice
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