How to Keep Ladybugs (beetles) at Home
You can purchase and release lady beetles, also known as lady bugs, but the question arises of how to keep them at home in your garden. Lady beetles do fly, and keeping them in an area is difficult. But you can increase the chances that lady beetles will stick around. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Purchase the lady beetles after you see aphids on your plants. It won't do much good to release them into a garden where there is no food -- they fly away and look for another place to lay their eggs. Lady beetles lay their eggs on a plant near aphids so the newly hatched larvae will have an immediate food source.
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Set out a pheromone lure, available commercially, to attract lady beetles. Place the liquid pheromone on plants or structures near the garden and plants that are susceptible to aphid and scale insect infestations.
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Identify the pupal stage of the beetles and let it be until they have hatched. You may find lots of pupa stuck to the exterior of your house. Wait until they have exited the shells before you brush the pupa off. The more beetles you allow to make it to adults, the more new ones will be in the next generation.
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Feed the beetles with alternatives when aphids are scarce, such as pollen and nectar plants. These include beans, alyssum, cosmos, dill, hairy vetch, morning glory, peas, rye and yarrow.
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Focus aphid control on plants that can't withstand an aphid onslaught, leaving aphids on other plants alone. Knock the problem aphids off with a hosed jet of plain water, avoiding the use of insecticides, to reduce the damage to new growing tips on plants without harming the good bugs.
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Give the lady beetles a water source, especially in dry climates. A shallow pan or birdbath provides water for the adults when there are no juicy insects readily available.
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Provide boxes or habitats similar to a birdhouse designed as a safe haven for lady beetles. They decorate the garden as well.
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References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
