Care of Ladybugs
Ladybugs, also called ladybirds, are among the most beloved garden insects. Besides their cute and colorful appearance, the bugs keep gardens healthy by feeding on unwanted insect pests. Children seem especially fond of ladybugs, and the insects are featured in several nursery rhymes and children's books. You can temporarily keep ladybugs as pets to inspect them more closely.
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Things You'll Need
- Aquarium or other clear gallon container
- Toilet paper or paper towel tube
- Plant leaves and stems
- Aphids
- Nylon stocking or cheesecloth
- Rubber band
- Spray bottle
- Paper towels
Instructions
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Cover the bottom of a clear gallon container with soil and add a cardboard tube, like that from a roll of toilet paper or paper towels, to provide shelter for the ladybugs.
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Examine garden plants for aphids or other small, soft-bodied insects that ladybugs eat. Roses, dandelions, nasturtiums, strawberries, beans, peas and tomatoes are often infested with these insects. Cut infested leaves and stems and place them in your container. If you can't find insects right away, soak a cotton ball in honey water and place it in your container to provide temporary food for your ladybugs.
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Collect ladybugs and place them in the container. If children will be observing the ladybugs, try to collect at least 10 so that the youngsters don't get too attached to any one beetle. The beetles live only for a few days. Handle them gently to avoid crushing them -- they will release a little yellow blood when upset. If possible, cut off plant leaves or stems you find ladybugs on and place the plant cuttings and ladybugs in your container together.
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Mist the container lightly with water to create a humid environment. Avoid spraying aphids or ladybugs directly. Mist once every day.
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Place a piece of nylon stocking or cheesecloth around the opening of the container and secure with a rubber band. This will enclose the beetles and provide ventilation while also helping to maintain a humid environment.
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Remove dead beetles every day and wipe down the sides of the containers with paper towels.
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Release ladybugs and aphids where you found them when finished observing. If you see eggs in the container, place them outside on garden plants with aphids.
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Tips & Warnings
To slow down the beetles to prevent them from escaping their new environment when the lid is temporarily removed for cleaning or adding bugs, place the container in a refrigerator for up to 20 minutes.
References
Resources
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