Ladybugs Are A Gardener's Friend

If you see a Ladybug in your garden or on your flowers, don't kill it! Ladybugs are one a gardener's best friends. Ladybugs eat the harmful bugs and insects that would feast on your garden plants, vegetables and flowers.

Adult Ladybugs and their larvae are voracious eaters that will devour aphids, thrips, chinch bugs, and several other varieties of scale insect and beetles.

Ladybugs are harmless to humans and even though they are docile and beneficial to garden plants, Ladybugs have their own methods of protection from predators, like ants. Ladybugs have a tough outer shield for protection and the ability to hide from predators by flattening themselves against a plant leaf.

If you have not seen Ladybugs in your garden or flower bed, you can purchase Ladybugs from several sources. Some garden supply centers have ladybugs, and you can always order them via mail order or internet website.

It only takes a few Ladybugs to keep harmful insects and bugs out of your garden, so if you do purchase Ladybugs, don't release them in the garden all at once. If the garden population of Ladybugs is too high, the Ladybugs will either leave your garden in search of more food or they will starve to death.

If/when you purchase Ladybugs, mulch and water your garden, then in the late evening gently release the Ladybugs into your garden. Place one Ladybug on the moist mulch every 15 steps. The Ladybugs will seek protection in the cool, moist mulch and then the next morning, they will climb the nearest garden plant and start eating harmful insects and bugs.

Place any remaining Ladybugs in your refrigerator for later release. Ladybugs will hibernate in the refrigerator for several weeks.