Ladybug Attractant for Gardens

Attract ladybugs to the garden with sunflowers, marigolds and other fragrant plants.

Ladybugs, also called lady beetles are winged orange-reddish beetles decorated with black spots. Seeing one buzzing in the garden is a good sign. This beneficial insect eats aphids, mites and other destructive pests. The larva form of the ladybug also snacks on a number of pests. Learn how to attract and keep ladybugs in your garden for a healthy landscape.

Life Cycle

During spring, adult ladybugs emerge from their winter homes in plant debris and lay yellowish eggs that hatch in about five days. Larvae have a flattened shape and are covered with spines. They reside in the garden for up to three weeks until transforming to the adult form. Environmental conditions, such as temperature, humidity and the amount of food influence the length of the ladybug's life cycle, according to Ohio State University Extension.

Attractive Plants

Ladybugs enjoy the pollen and nectar of many flowers. Fragrant plants such as calendula, cilantro, yarrow and red clover attract ladybugs and other beneficial insects. Cosmos, sunflower and sweet alyssum also lure ladybugs to your garden while providing bright colors in summer. Beneficial insects control populations of pests such as hungry caterpillars, aphids, thrips and mites.

Enticing a Stay

After attracting ladybugs to the garden, provide a favorable habitat so that they stay and benefit the landscape. Avoid pesticides that kill a wide range of pests; these chemicals take food away for ladybugs and also injure beneficial insects. A few pests in the landscape keeps ladybugs and other beneficial insects in your yard. Ladybugs make a home in plant debris, so ensure there is some debris in the landscape.

Releasing Ladybugs

Another way to increase ladybugs in the yard is to purchase and release them. According to Ohio State University Extension, it is best to release ladybugs in the evening. Ensure that the area is moist. Ladybugs shipped from different states might be programmed to travel in a certain direction, taking flight from your garden. Ladybugs collected from the local region are best for release.

References

• Ohio State University; Lady Beetle; William F. Lyon
• Auburn University: Organic Vegetable Production in Alabama
• University of California; Beneficial Insects; Bohart Museum