Ladybugs …nature’s answer
to pest control

Did you know? Ladybugs love Aphids! Aphids are soft-bodied insects that cause havoc in gardens and yards by seriously weakening small trees and plants. Control them by blasting them with a garden hose or by introducing ladybugs to their environment.

Ladybugs (Hippodamia convergens) have earned quite a favorable reputation over time. They are thought to bring good luck to those who are fortunate enough to come in contact with this pretty little creature. Here in America, if a ladybug lands on you and then flies away, you can look forward to plenty of good luck.
Across the globe ladybugs are believed to ensure good weather, good news to come, and even good luck in marriage! In Germany, if you spot a lady bug with fewer than seven spots, harvests will be plentiful!

The best news about ladybugs is that they are nature’s answer to pest control. So a gardener with ladybugs in his garden would be very lucky indeed! Ladybugs are ravenous eaters and can consume up to 40-50 aphids in a single day! This adds up to about 5,000 “critters” in the lifespan of a ladybug. They will also devour Mites, Mealybugs, Thrip, Whiteflys, eggs, and other soft-bodied insects.

Attracting and keeping ladybugs in your garden:
-Avoid the use of chemical pesticides. It will kill ladybugs as well as the “critters” you wish to get rid of.
-Ladybugs will fly away to find another food source if enough “creepy crawlies” aren’t available for them to dine on.
-Provide a water source
-Even ladybugs need a home! Provide shelter and a place for laying eggs by growing a variety of plants in your garden.

Buying and Releasing Ladybugs:
Ladybugs are available online and are very affordably priced.
They will arrive ready to be released into your garden and yard.
Purchase:
1,500 ladybugs for a small garden,
18,000(1 quart) ladybugs for a larger garden.
72,000(1 gallon) covers 1-10 acres.

-refrigerate for a day before releasing. The cool temperatures will make the ladybugs a little sluggish and less likely to fly away.
-water the area prior to release
-do not release during the warmest part of the day. (mornings or early evening work best)
-release them as close as possible to known pest problems. For instance underneath a rose bush if aphids have begun to damage the plant. You can even drape a sheet over a damaged plant and release the ladybugs underneath the sheet. (remove the sheet after a few hours)
-order the larger amount for a smaller area if you want to make several releases (over a few days)

Other helpful bugs and insects that you WANT to see in your garden:

Green Lacewig
Trichogramma wasps
Parasitic nematodes
Chinese praying mantis