Adult Ladybugs

Releasing Your Ladybugs
Your ladybugs are packed in shavings inside of a netting bag. They should be released outside as soon as possible next to the plants that are infested with aphids. If you're unable to release them immediately, you can keep the ladybugs in the refrigerator for a few days. However, they will be hungry and thirsty, so be sure to give them a wet raisin to eat while in storage and sprinkle the mesh bag with water. Do not store the ladybugs beyond two weeks.

For best results, select an area in the garden that is infested with a food source for ladybugs. (If you want your ladybugs to patrol specific plants, enclose the plants and ladybugs with a polyester row cover, like our All-Purpose Row Cover, for a few days to encourage them to stay in that area.) Water the selected area well so the lady bugs don't have to search for water elsewhere. Release your ladybugs at dusk when aphids, mites, and mealy bugs are more likely to be visible. Gently place a dozen or so of the beetles at the base of each plant. Water the garden regularly, especially if you are experiencing a drought or a dry summer.

You can encourage these helpful bugs to stick around by providing a habitat that provides food for them once they’ve cleaned up the pests in your garden. Plant pollen and nectar flowers such as dill, fennel or buckwheat. Plant tansy, an herb with small colorful yellow blooms, to entice not only your own ladybugs but others in the neighborhood. If plants aren't an option, try our Lady Bug Attractant - a powerful pheromone-based liquid that can lure hundreds of ladybugs to your garden. (See Ordering Information on the back.) Finally, provide a hedgerow, windbreak, or permanent border to shelter ladybugs from wind and rain.

What do Ladybugs Look Like?
Most gardeners are familiar with adult ladybugs. They are small, red beetles with distinctive black dots on their wings. These adult beetles mate and produce a new generation of beetles which are very different in appearance. They are soft-bodied, alligator-shaped larvae with gray bodies and red, orange, or yellow splotches. Watch carefully for these ladybug larvae because they consume the majority of the pests. Also look for ladybug eggs. These yellow eggs are found in clusters of 10-50 on leaves and stems. You'll want to avoid spraying insecticides that specifically kill beetles when these eggs are present.