Ladybugs (Hippodamia convergens) are not really bugs but beetles. Ladybugs like having large pest populations to eat, which helps stimulate them to mate and lay eggs. When food is harder to find, adult ladybugs may fly off, but their eggs then hatch and provide further control.

Ladybug lays eggs that look like clusters of little orange footballs, each laid on edge. After the eggs hatch, they'll look like tiny black "alligators", with orange spots. They are extremely fast moving, they grow to 1/2" long over 2-3 weeks, then pupate, usually on the top of the leaf, into another adult ladybug. One larvae will eat about 400 medium-size aphids during its development to the pupal stage. An adult ladybug may eat over 5,000 aphids during its one year lifetime.

Ladybugs are the most common of all beneficial insects, these voracious predators feed on aphids, chinch bugs, asparagus beetle larvae, thrips, alfalfa weevils, bean thrips, grape root worms, Colorado potato beetle larvae, whitefly, and mites, as well as many other soft-bodied insects and eggs. Using ladybugs in your garden is extremely cost effective, too!

How to release ladybugs in your garden

Keep the ladybugs in a cool place (refrigerator) until late in the day or early morning. Do not release the ladybugs during the heat of the day or while the sun is shining. Sprinkle or irrigate the area before releasing, so the ladybugs will have a drink of water right away.

Don’t shake the bag to encourage them to come out. Instead, just place the open bag on the ground next to the infested plants and let them crawl out.

Ladybugs will leave if they don't like their new home. You may have to experiment to provide the right environment for them. Just be sure to release the ladybugs in the evening or later because they will not fly at night and need a settling down period after being handled.

Ladybugs can be bought online from various garden shops. One half pint (approximately 4,500) covers 3,000 square feet (50 x 60 feet).

Get live lady bugs! Shipping included from Arbico Organics!

Want to attract ladybugs to your garden? Try planting Dill, Geraniums, Fennel, caraway, and Dandelions.