7 Tips for Raising Monarchs ...OUTDOORS❓

Will you Raise IN or OUT for Raise The Migration?

June 19, 2025

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Good Thursday Royal RAISEr,

I hope this spring day finds you swell. A couple weeks ago I shared that we were testing a new outdoor setup this season, and so far, I have to say…I LOVE this new set up! It essentially solves every issue we’ve had in the past when raising monarchs outdoors. 🤯

The only issue (which isn’t an issue this time of year) is that their metamorphic process has slowed down significantly compared to the monarchs being raised inside my office...WHY?

Temps at night have been unseasonably cool, so when I close the office window at night, the warm monarchs inside are developing at a faster rate, while the cold cats have slowed their transformation 🐢

I brought in 8 eggs on May 29th. On June 18th, all 4 indoor caterpillars are forming chrysalides, while the outdoor caterpillars are still stuck at instar 4. However, an upcoming weekend with 90 degree temps should get them to the chrysalis stage quickly…

The indoor raising set up is working well too. There are pros and cons to both, and I will discuss all the pros and cons of both when raise the migration starts on July 12th, 2025. In the meantime, I’m here to share some important tips that will help you successfully raise monarchs outdoors…

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Tips for Raising Monarchs OUTDOORS? 🏡

Although there are some serious potential issues with raising monarchs outdoors (weather, predators), I understand that raising indoors isn’t a viable solution for everyone, so we’ve been testing a new outdoor setup. In case you missed it the first time, here’s the actual set up:

This new outdoor set up was intended to solve potential issues with extreme elements like wind/rain, and the cover provides an extra protective barrier for any curious predators that might try to access the tall baby cage (wasps, lizards, mice, birds, etc)

We can comfortably fit two of our tall baby cages (14” by 14” by 24”) or baby cube cages (14” by 14” by 14”) inside this raised bed fortress.

The cart also has wheels (with 2 locks) so we can easily move it around the deck and keep it secure. So, how has it performed (so far) and what lessons have we learned from our outdoor raising adventures? Check out this new post:

So, now that you’ve gotten some ideas for both indoor or outdoor raising, I’m curious to hear what you’ll be doing this season. Please let us know by clicking on your answer in the short poll below:

Will you be Raising Monarchs INDOORS or OUTDOORS for Raise The Migration 2025? 🤔

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Coming Up Next? 🧐

Raise the Migration Suggested Supply List for INDOOR and OUTDOOR Raising setups Coming Soon….


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