Monarchs In Solano County:
Adult monarch feeding on nectar from coyote mint in Dixon, CA
The Western Monarch travels up and down the west coast of North America, wintering in several key locations in California, and roosting in large clusters. This trip takes all year and several generations to make. Solano County is home to multiple overwintering sites including one on Mare Island.
March-October: Adult butterflies migrate inland to breed and lay eggs on milkweed. They need nectar from flowers to fuel their journey, while caterpillars can only eat the leaves of milkweed plants.
November-February: Monarchs migrate and overwinter along the California coast. They cluster to stay warm and fly during the day looking for flower nectar to drink. Many overwintering sites have been lost to development, and protecting them is critical to the survival of Western monarchs.
Monarch Population Decline:
Monarch Waystations:
The best way homeowners can support monarch butterflies is by planting native milkweed and nectar sources. It doesn’t take a lot of space to create beneficial habitat. Specialized gardens with milkweed and flowering nectar sources are called waystations and support monarchs in all stages of their lifecycle.
Monarch Waystation Links:
2026 Waystation Plant Contents
Calscape Waystation Species Info
Monarch Waystation Layout Examples
Monarch Workshops:
Free Workshop Dates & Details: All workshops will cover the same material.
Learn more about monarch butterflies and how to support them by watching the recording of our Spring 2026 Monarch Workshop
More Monarch Resources:
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+ Volunteer Opportunities
+ Volunteer Opportunities
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+ Information on Neonicotinoid Insecticides
+ Information on Neonicotinoid Insecticides
Xerces "Understanding Neonicotinoids"
Xerces "Protecting Bees from Neonicotinoids Insecticides in Your Garden"
American Bird Conservancy Info on Pesticides
American Bird Conservancy "New Study: Neonicotinoids Found to Drive Butterfly Declines"
Michigan State University "Insecticides found to be primary driver of butterfly decline"
CA Dept of Pesticide Regulation "Neonicotinoid Reevalutation Background and Progress Towards Protecting Pollinator Health"
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+ Lists of Products Containing Neonicotinoids
+ Lists of Products Containing Neonicotinoids
There are hundreds of products that contain neonicotinoid insecticides as active ingredients that are intended for use on ornamental plants in either nursery or home garden settings. The specific active ingredients include acetamiprid, clothianidin, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, thiacloprid, and thiamethoxam. Some products contain these chemical names in their product names, but many products containing neonicotinoids do not have the active ingredient in the product name. It is important to inspect the label of any insecticide labeled as “systemic” for the presence of neonicotinoid active ingredients
Consumer Products to Avoid to Help Bees Thrive
Spotted a Monarch Butterfly here in Solano County? Complete the survey below and let us know!