Ladybug Patrol to the Rescue
@bagarad (14283)
Paso Robles, California
April 26, 2016 4:41pm CST
For the first time ever since living in Paso Robles, I had a really bad aphid attack on my calendula plants. I prayed for ladybugs to come and bring their friends. They came. I wish I could post more than one photo of them and their effect, but they are doing a great job. All my calendula on one side of the garden were covered with aphids. Several of them are now aphid-free without my doing anything.
Every day the ladybug count increases and I photograph what I can. The plant I'm showing you here has six ladybugs on it. You can't see them all because some are behind leaves. The plant next door to this plant has 7 ladybugs. That is 13 ladybugs within about two square feet.
In the photo you can see the ladybugs on patrol. Each one can eat up to 60 aphids a day. I'm wondering if I'm benefiting from neighbors who released ladybugs that flew away.
5 people like this
6 responses
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
27 Apr 16
My wife bought a package of about 1500 ladybugs and they are decimating the aphids on her roses and other plants...well, except or the ones who hitched to Paso Robles.
4 people like this
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
26 Apr 16
That is nature's balance at work. Too many aphids and along come ladybugs to control them.
3 people like this
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
26 Apr 16
ladybugs are good invaders. They eat the bad ones.
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
28 Apr 16
i'd sure not ask'em if'n they were missin' any ;) yepperz, those lady bugs do a fine job. i do all i can to encourage 'em to stay 'round here. i've e'en gone so far's orderin' me some'n releasin' 'em.
1 person likes this
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
28 Apr 16
@crazyhorseladycx There's still plenty left. I think they are inviting their friends, too.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
28 Apr 16
@bagarad 
so that was yerself i read 'bout doin' the happy dance? 
i'd be plum tickled's well. hopefully there's 'nough to keep 'em busy 'n get those poor plants back'p to par.
so that was yerself i read 'bout doin' the happy dance? i'd be plum tickled's well. hopefully there's 'nough to keep 'em busy 'n get those poor plants back'p to par.1 person likes this
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
27 Apr 16
They are doing a splendid job. they say that when you buy ladybugs and release them, they often don't stick around but fly away to somewhere else to find food. That's why I don't buy them. I found one and told her to bring her friends. I also see a few larvae on the plants, so some of these ladies must be laying eggs. I hope so.
@JudyEv (381760)
• Rockingham, Australia
27 Apr 16
@bagarad @JamesHxstatic bought ladybugs and put them in the fridge overnight. Next morning they sprayed the leaves of the plants with water and set them free. This is supposed to encourage them to stay where they are released.
4 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
27 Apr 16
@JudyEv Thanks for the mention!
2 people like this
@annaroselock (805)
• United Kingdom
26 Apr 16
I love ladybugs! (In the UK we call them ladybirds) 
1 person likes this
@annaroselock (805)
• United Kingdom
27 Apr 16
@bagarad Yes! I'm sure I had some when I was little
1 person likes this
