Attracting Ladybugs
Ladybugs are cute bugs that can have a symbiotic relationship with humans. They eat lots of bad bugs, pollinate the garden, and are great subjects for biodiversity education. Attracting and sustaining Ladybugs can be done with a few simple steps.
Food Sources
By keeping or planting known food sources, gardenistas or gardeners can attract and sustain the short life cycle of Ladybugs. It is recommended to plant a diversity and cluster of plants with many small flowers such as butterfly weed, cilantro, coreopsis, cosmos, dill, fennel, marigolds, oregano, Queen Ann’s lace, thyme, and yarrow. Providing nectar and pollen sources will sustain Ladybugs when the pest populations are lower.
Leaving some weeds, such as dandelions or yarrow between vegetables or other susceptible plants, will also serve as a great food source when needed. Shrubs and other dense vegetation can serve as shelter or protection from Florida weather and predators.
Ladybug that Little Gardenista found in a shady spot of the garden.
Water
Ladybugs need to drink plenty of water. As a gardenista or gardener wanting to sustain Ladybugs, and not mosquitos, we need to think about the habits of different bugs throughout the garden landscape. Creating a water source for Ladybugs can be tricky because you don’t want to aid in mosquito reproduction but you also want to offer a water source for Ladybugs. I’ve read some folks have found a damp paper towel as a great solution!
Avoid Using Chemicals
Pesticides, herbicides, and other artificial chemicals kill bad guys and good guys. Using chemicals often serve as a temporary fix or bandaid for the real underlying problem. Try to find natural solutions to deal with your garden issues whenever possible. Natural solutions are better for the ecosystem overall.
Be Mindful When Eradicating
Ladybug eggs and larvae can be mistaken for a bad bug. Ladybug mamas often will lay their eggs near an aphid colony so when they hatch they have food nearby. Ladybug eggs are usually orange or yellow and in the shape of an oval. Their larvae are usually black and can resemble tiny black spiders. It is best to be careful and do your research before squashing an unknown bug in the garden. The Google application has a great identification feature that I often use. You can open the app up, take a photo, and usually within a few seconds Google provides various search results to help identify a plant or bug species.
Below are some images from University of Florida sources that were taken of a Ladybug’s eggs or larvae to help with correctly identifying these stages of the Ladybug’s life cycle in your garden.
Ladybug Eggs Photo Credit: Russell F. Mizell, University of Florida
Larvae small looking spiders Photo Credit: James L. Castner, University of Florida
Ladybug Larvae Photo Credit: Russell F. Mizell, University of Florida
Buying Ladybugs
Let's say you’ve taken the steps above and still aren’t attracting Ladybugs to your garden. You may be considering purchasing Ladybugs. I have a few helpful tips when it comes to purchasing these beneficial insects.
Buy Native: There are over 450 Ladybug species in North America and around 98 here in Florida. Do some research to discover a source that is reputable and offers Ladybugs that are native to your region. Native Ladybugs will be more adapted to your garden’s conditions therefore easier to sustain.
Monitor Weather: When releasing Ladybugs into your yard, make sure conditions are ideal. Waiting a day or two may be best to ensure the best success of your bug buddies.
Release: Water your pest infested plants thoroughly in the evening right before you release the Ladybugs to that specific area of the garden.
Even if you purchase a swarm of Ladybugs and release them in ideal conditions at the best time, there is no guarantee Ladybugs will stick around to help in the garden. Best strategy is to take necessary steps to create a healthy ecosystem that benefits humans and wildlife!
Sources:
https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/florida-friendly-landscapes/beneficial-insects.html