FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN INDIVIDUAL AND A MASS RELEASE?
Typically, there are two methods of butterfly release; an individual release or a mass release. During an individual release, individually packaged butterflies are distributed to guests within envelopes for release at a designated time. With a mass release, anywhere from ten to 200 or more butterflies are released from a decorative box or boxes at a designated time.
HOW MANY BUTTERFLIES SHOULD I ORDER?
For an individual release, one butterfly per guest is ideal. If your budget does not allow for this, one butterfly per couple or every other guest will still create a beautiful visual display. If you choose a mass release, a minimum of 25 butterflies is recommended.
HOW ARE BUTTERFLIES SHIPPED?
After being well fed, butterflies are carefully packaged in paper or glassine envelopes and placed inside a sturdy, insulated container with ice packs. Butterflies are cold-blooded and will remain still in their cool shipping container. They are shipped FedEx Priority Overnight and arrive to you the day prior to your event in most cases.
HOW FAR IN ADVANCE SHOULD I ORDER BUTTERFLIES?
We recommend ordering monarch butterflies at least four weeks prior to your event date. We reserve the right to substitute butterflies of equal value if your order is placed fewer than four weeks in advance.
DO YOU SHIP ANYWHERE?
USDA regulations permit us to ship monarch butterflies to states located East of the Continental Divide (excluding the State of Connecticut). We ship painted lady butterflies to all US states except Hawaii and Alaska. We deliver gulf fritillary butterflies only to locations in the State of Louisiana. We hand deliver Grow Your Own Butterflies Kits to locations in Lafayette Parish, Louisiana only.
CAN I RELEASE BUTTERFLIES IN ANY TYPE OF WEATHER AND/OR ANY TIME OF DAY?
Absolutely not! Temperatures must be above 60 degrees Fahrenheit for a butterfly release. Butterflies are cold-blooded insects and they are unable to move in cold temperatures. In order to give them sufficient time to find food and shelter prior to nightfall, butterflies must be released between 10 am up until one hour prior to sunset. Butterflies must never be released in rainy, windy or cold weather conditions.
DO YOU OFFER A DISCOUNT FOR LOCAL EVENTS?
Yes, we offer local hand delivery to customers in Lafayette Parish, Louisiana for a $20 fee. Someone must be present to receive delivery of your butterflies. An email will be sent to you after your butterfly purchase to arrange a delivery date, location, and time. Grow Your Own Butterflies Kits are delivered free of charge to children in Lafayette Parish, Louisiana.
DO YOU OFFER A GUARANTEE?
We guarantee your butterflies will arrive alive or your money back. In the unlikely event that one or more butterflies expire during shipping, please photograph the deceased butterflies and email this to us within 7 (seven) days of your event date for a refund. We cannot guarantee a successful butterfly release if butterflies are released in inclement weather, after sunset or in temperatures lower than 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION POLICY?
For live butterfly orders, you may cancel for any reason with 7 (seven) days or greater notice given for a full refund. A 10% cancellation fee will be charged for cancellations with less than 7 (seven) days' notice. There will be no refunds for orders cancelled within 48 hours prior to the scheduled ship date.