In addition to the planting of flowers that feed butterflies , other methods of attracting them are building `` butterfly houses '' , with sand for puddling , water to drink , and food items , like rotten fruit . In addition to the planting of flowers that feed butterflies , other means of attracting them include constructing Â butterfly housesÂ , providing sand for puddling , water , and other resources or food items , including rotten fruit .