There's little else as sigh-inducing for gardeners as spotting cherished plants being pillaged by aphids, mites, and mealybugs. When pest colonies become dense, it might be time to take action. That's where ladybugs come in, in all their bright, dotty glory.
There are several ways of combating this vexing issue, and no hair tairing need be involved. Although it might be tempting to reach for the brightly colored chemical concoctions, opting instead for natural pest control solutions is much more eco-friendly and will serve as a longer-term boon to your garden.
Why ladybugs are the answer to natural pest control
'Ladybugs are fantastic at naturally controlling pests. They are very hungry beetles that will eat large numbers of aphids, mites, leafhoppers, mealybugs, and more during their lifetime,' explains professional gardener and Content Editor at Homes & Gardens, Drew Swainston.
'The presence of ladybugs should be sought after among gardeners, as they help to control pest populations and keep your plants healthy. Having ladybugs doing their thing and eating pests is much more beneficial than reaching for a bottle of chemicals to deal with pest problems.
'Ladybugs also offer a helping hand with pollination, though unintentionally. As they move from flower to flower searching for food, they move pollen with them as they go,' he explains.
All in all, we most certainly want ladybugs to join our garden party this year. These little bugs can be used in gardens, greenhouses, indoor grows, lawns, orchards, and vineyards.
Here's where to shop for live ladybugs:
Drew is a Gardening Expert and Content Editor for Homes & Gardens. He was formerly a professional gardener for several years and worked at the world-famous arts and crafts garden Hidcote Manor Garden, and he also spent several years at Hanbury Hall Gardens.
6 places to buy ladybugs
This is a great place to buy live ladybugs, as you can buy them in relatively small amounts (150 ladybugs) all the way up to bags of 72,000 live ladybugs, which would be much more suitable for large gardens with a lot of plants to protect.
When you buy ladybugs they have often been hauled all around the United States from 2 to 3 different companies. This puts stress on the ladybugs, robbing them of their vigor, aphid eating and reproduction capabilities. These are fresh ladybugs that are shipped FedEx next day delivery so they have been through minimal stress and travel.
You can buy ladybugs in bags of 3,000 from Amazon for a refreshingly modest price. These have got excellent reviews. The company and reviewers recommend putting the bag in a cool place, such as the refrigerator, until late in the day or early morning. (Don't release them in the heat of the day.)
Another great trusted source for live ladybugs. The ladybugs will eat about 5,000 aphids before breeding and producing the next generation of ladybird larvae, which in turn will eat even more aphids. They will also eat spidermites, whitefly, scale, and many other pest insects. This is a great way to source ladybugs directly, cutting out the middleman by avoiding third-party sites, as this company sources the live ladybugs and ships them directly to your door.
These ladybugs go through a feeding process before being sent to you, and they include a food and drink source in each package to keep them ready for action. This ensures the ladybugs are as healthy as possible when they start they journey to your home. When they do arrive, mist the plant foliage beforehand. With ample food and moisture, ladybugs can begin to reproduce immediately.
As well as, or instead of ordering live ladybugs, you may feel more comfortable purchasing a lure. These can have remarkably powerful effects. This lure uses a combination of pheromones and botanicals to attract and keep desirable beneficial predators like ladybugs in your garden. It's a natural attractant signal to ladybugs that there are plant feeders nearby, encouraging their arrival.
As well as ladybugs, it's worth also considering purchasing green lacewings, or green lacewing larvae like these Green Lacewing larvae available at Nature's Good Guys.
Green lacewings and ladybugs make for an impressive team. They will co-exist and both feed on aphids and other soft-bodied pest insects. Lacewing larvae can consume up to 60 aphids a day. Each female can lay up to 200 eggs, ensuring a continuous cycle of pest control.
