Pretty Little Predators
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
Eugene, Oregon
April 20, 2016 1:15pm CST
My wife, Anne, noticed that there were a lot of aphids on her roses and some other plants in the yard. On a trip to local plant store, she saw and purchased a bag of about 1500 Ladybugs (Ladybird beetles). She refrigerated them overnight, sprayed the plants with water this morning and released the dormant little predators on the affected plants.
They are now eating and drinking their fill. These little carnivores eat many times their own weight and also like to chow down on mealybugs and spider mites. I suppose that to a little bug the size of an aphid, the ladybug must look terrifying.
They will also lay eggs on the leaves' undersides and make more little ladybugs, I hope.
At any rate, they are busily munching away at various pests in the yard. I hope they stay put and don't decide the bugs are tastier next door. I always heard that they bring you luck too, so maybe I'll buy a lottery ticket.
Have you ever bought bugs to protect your garden?
12 people like this
11 responses
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
20 Apr 16
Yes, it is great idea, I think.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (153544)
• India
27 Apr 16
Never heard of such a thing. Good for you if they stick around.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (153544)
• India
27 Apr 16
@JamesHxstatic Is there anything you need to do so that they stick around?
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
27 Apr 16
@allknowing No, there is no way to control that it seems, too bad.
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
27 Apr 16
There were a number of them still on the roses yesterday, so it is good so far.
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
27 Apr 16
@JamesHxstatic The weather for the past week is crazy.
It alternates between hot, scorching sunny day with thunderstorm the next day.
If the aphids die, I do not know whether it is due to the extreme weather or the garlic.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
27 Apr 16
Interesting. Let us know if it works. Maybe try adding some cayenne or other hot dried pepper.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
27 Apr 16
@scheng1 I hope that something gets rid of them.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (502190)
• Italy
27 Apr 16
@JamesHxstatic No, the ladybugs do not bite, this is another reason why I like them.
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
27 Apr 16
They really are and they don't bite us either!
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
21 Apr 16
Yes, and other predators too. Back in the 1970s, before they were in stores, I sent away for them. According to an agricultural inspector who came to my house, I was the only non-farmer he had met who bought good bugs to fight bad bugs. I am glad they are not available in nurseries.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
27 Apr 16
You were ahead of the curve on that one.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
27 Apr 16
@JamesHxstatic I was really lucky to discover the Organic Gardening Magazine published by Rodale Press. Then I subscribed to their Prevention Magazine. They were an excellent education in both.
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
21 Apr 16
I guess it is to make them a bit dormant so they will need to eat and drink the water from the plants.
2 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
21 Apr 16
@JamesHxstatic Yes, it is. They are more likely to stay put when you release them, if they have been in the fridge overnight. The water she puts on the plants before releasing them is important too. She is doing everything right.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381810)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Apr 16
@JamesHxstatic That would make sense and they wouldn't feel the need to immediately 'fly away home'. :)
1 person likes this
@beaniefanatic13 (5068)
• Grand Junction, Colorado
27 Apr 16
I have never bought ladybugs but knew they took care of the aphids. I have used the dawn dish soap mixed with water and sprayed it on my roses and it has worked well. Although probably not as well as ladybugs. I will have to see if I can find someone who carries them around here.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
27 Apr 16
I am pretty sure you will find them at plant nurseries or retail garden stores.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
27 Apr 16
These came from a company in Bend, Oregon, but I think there are many others.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
20 Apr 16
yes sir, i'm quite fond'f those lil natural predators. when i'd a good-sized garden (1/4 acre) i always bought 10,000 lady bugs to release there. whate'er 't takes to keep the bad'uns to a min :)
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
27 Apr 16
Wow, that is a lot of ladybugs.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
27 Apr 16
@JamesHxstatic yes sir, they didn't all stay there, but spread out into the pasture 'n yard. i'm all fer controllin' schtuff's naturally's possible 'n simply adore lady bugs :) makes me smile e'ery time i see'em. used to be one'f my fav's when goin' out to get hay outta the field. my hay fella used'em also.
1 person likes this
@BACONSTRIPSXXX (18025)
• Torrington, Connecticut
20 Apr 16
No but I have heard of certain garden bugs that actually fight off others who ruin and dry out plants
1 person likes this
@BACONSTRIPSXXX (18025)
• Torrington, Connecticut
20 Apr 16
@JamesHxstatic I agree and their are still many species that are unidentified
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
20 Apr 16
The insect world is strange and so varied.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43567)
• Denver, Colorado
20 Apr 16
.I've never had a garden. My mother did, but I was so young I don't remember if she did so or not.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
20 Apr 16
I probably would not either if my wife wasn't such a fan of roses.
1 person likes this
