How to Keep Ladybugs in Your Garden

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You’ve ordered your ladybugs and they have arrived in a container, now how do you keep them around after you release them so they will feast on the aphids in your garden? Many people just open the box thinking the ladybugs will know where you want them, when in fact they will most likely just fly away to some other yard or garden. There are some simple steps to take to increase the number of ladybugs that will stick around for you and your garden.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Garden with aphids or other pests
Insect attracting plants
Insecticide free garden
Sugar or soda water
Spray bottle with fine mist adjustment
Ladybugs

Before Releasing Ladybugs

Step1

Check to see if you have food (aphids) for your ladybugs.

Step2

Plant insect attracting plants prior to ordering ladybugs.

Step3

Wash off any and all insecticide, if you have previously used it in your garden, as this will kill the good bugs too.

Step4

Spray ladybugs with a fine mist of soda water or sugar water.

Day of Ladybug Release

Step1

Release ladybugs in the evening, as temperatures are cooler and usually ladybugs don't like to fly at night.

Step2

Follow release directions on the box after ordering ladybugs in the mail. They may have some more tips.

Tips & Warnings

Be sure you remove any insecticide that may be on your garden plants about 2 weeks prior to releasing ladybugs.
The ladybug larvae is about ½-inch long, small, flat, slim, black thing with orange spots and their legs are big for their size.
The larvae will feed on aphids also.
Don't kill the ladybug larvae. Learn to recognize the larvae and you will continue to have these good bugs stick around for you.