Anyone Ever Purchase Ladybugs ?

Nyboy

Nyboy

Garden Master
Joined
Oct 2, 2010
Messages
21,365
Reaction score
16,241
Points
437
Location
White Plains NY,weekends Lagrange NY.
Every Spring I want to get ladybugs for pest control. Have never followed up on it, they are cheap enough. Anyone ever purchase them, did they stay or just fly away.
 
thistlebloom

thistlebloom

Garden Master
Joined
Dec 1, 2010
Messages
16,473
Reaction score
17,395
Points
457
Location
North Idaho 48th parallel
If you don't have the pests they eat they'll move on. To encourage them to stick around you should release them in the evening in a garden you have given a little sprinkling to because they'll be thirsty.
When I worked at a nursery that sold them we told people that you can put a mix of half sugar sweetened soda (or pop for some of you ;))
and half water in a spray bottle and lightly mist them before release. The solution dries and keeps their wings glued down for about a week.
I never tried that, apparently the one time I bought lady bugs I had plenty of the stuff they like to eat in the garden.
 
catjac1975

catjac1975

Garden Master
Joined
Jul 22, 2010
Messages
8,960
Reaction score
8,932
Points
397
Location
Mattapoisett, Massachusetts
I purchased them at least 20 years ago. I had a lot for 3-4 years. I still have an abundance all thee years later. They lay eggs on a common weed so you must leave some for good reproduction. They have a beautiful purple larvae. We have a ton of praying mantis from a purchase many years ago too.
 
baymule

baymule

Garden Master
Joined
Mar 20, 2011
Messages
18,381
Reaction score
34,826
Points
457
Location
Trinity County Texas
I had a good population at old house and had them swarm new house, trying to hibernate for winter. Crossing fingers I'll have a good population of ladybugs here.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Sister Sites

BackYardChickens.com
BackYardHerds.com
SufficientSelf.com
Top