Help save the Monarchs 1 caterpillar at a time
Availability usually begins around Mid-Late July.
Milkweed 4 Monarchs 8741 Elizabethtown Rd. Elizabethtown, PA. 17022-8474 (It's the long stone lane)
Hours: Thurs thru Sundays from 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM until sold out. Call ahead if you want to make sure caterpillars are available. 717-367-9656 (no text, old school)
Milkweed 4 Monarchs (map) is offering potted milkweed plants with a Free Monarch caterpillar for $5 each. Some 24″ cages are available – $20.00. Ranging in height from 16″ to 28″ the plants are the perfect height for the mesh Insect Habitat Cages. Watching the lifecycle of the Monarch caterpillar, pupation, and then seeing a new Monarch Butterfly emerge is an amazing learning opportunity for children and it all takes place in about 1 month. Sadly 90-95% of all caterpillars in the wild don’t make it to adulthood. Providing a mesh enclosure not only keeps them safe but you get to watch the entire amazing lifecycle. Some 24″ cages will be available this year for $20. But many sizes are available through Amazon and locally at Hostetter’s Hardware in Mt. Joy. This offer for Local pickup only.
Now is the time to start thinking about next year. The Insect Habit Cages are wonderful Christmas presents for children and the caterpillars will be free each year. Think about growing your own milkweed and visit the Milkweed Market from May thru Sept.15
Contact me for pickup. Black Swallowtail caterpillars are available for those without milkweed. A few24″ tall cages are available here for $20 .pdf printout for raising monarchs from Monarch Joint Venture .org
* If you have milkweed and want to raise them in an enclosure, I will have plenty of caterpillars to share for free after the plants are sold. They will be in To-Go cups. 🙂 *Please only take 1 per enclosure to reduce chances of disease transmission. Or you can check out the Common Milkweed field and hunt for your own caterpillar anytime. Bring a container.
There are many sites that have information on raising the caterpillars in enclosures and there are books at the library and sold on Amazon. Also many Facebook Groups dedicated to this. Here in Elizabethtown PA we have Sherry Wilkinson who manages the Facebook page The Monarch Project. Her page has information on what is needed and how to do it successfully.
Tropical Milkweed – A. curassavica is an annual milkweed here in PA. It is not cold tolerant but it grows quickly and provides a lot of food for those hungry monarch caterpillars (often referred to as “cats”.
Milkweed 4 Monarchs is located in Elizabethtown PA next to the Wolgemuth Park on E-Town Rd. Interactive map:
8741 Elizabethtown Rd. Elizabethtown PA 17022
Linda – Is there any chance the Monarch cat supply has increased? I would love to pick up a cat either tomorrow (7/16 or any day next week) to show the children of our friends. I live about 7 miles from you. No Monarchs here yet.
Hi Janet I sent you an email at the address you gave here. And can let you know when I have some. 🙂
Do you currently have caterpillars? I would love for my grandkids to to see them change into a butterfly.
Thank you,
Cindy
Hi Cindy,
It’s early but I have found a few and am starting a caterpillar waiting list. Plants are ready, just waiting on the Monarchs 🙂 Would you like me to add you to the list? How many would you like and what days are good for picking up? Cindy
Hello Cindy. I am going to visit my granddaughter in NC this Sunday. I would love to take a plant and caterpillar to her. Are any available? Thank you so much!
Ann Bean
Hi Ann,
I’m sorry but all the potted milkweed plants have been sold for the year. Can I suggest some Swallowtail caterpillars? They eat Parsley and she could still watch the caterpillar growing and turn into a beautiful Black Swallowtail.
They are free and parsley can be purchased at the grocery store.
Let me know if you would like some, I have dozens 🙂
Cindy