Lady bugs to the rescue
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381815)
Rockingham, Australia
December 27, 2025 7:11am CST
Another nice little story that I read today was about ladybugs being released in the gardens around Parliament House in Canberra, Australia’s national capital.
The gardeners there are having trouble with aphids on the garden plants. They’ve now brought in several punnets full of lady bugs. As children, we always called them ladybirds. There was a rhyme about them that you recited to a ladybird if it landed on your hand. It went ‘Ladybird, ladybird, fly away home, your house is on fire and your children have gone.’
Four different species of lady bugs will be released and they’re expected to be a great help in ridding the gardens of aphids. So much better than using poisonous sprays.
The photo is from Wikimedia Commons courtesy Paulhaberstroh.
17 people like this
18 responses
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
28 Dec
@JudyEv They are available to order in the US. I believe there are other natural garden helpers also available. It is so good to hear of them using natural controls
2 people like this
@moffittjc (128824)
• Gainesville, Florida
27 Dec
It's nice to see them looking at natural alternatives to pesticides. I love ladybugs, and know that they are very beneficial insects.
I thought Adelaide was the capital of Australia? Oh wait, I just looked it up...the capital of South Australia!
2 people like this
@moffittjc (128824)
• Gainesville, Florida
28 Dec
@JudyEv I'm sure most of us in the US would fail. We can't even name all of our own capitals!
And hey, you should give me credit for even knowing that Adelaide was the capital of something! I guarantee you 99% of Americans would have had no idea!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381815)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Dec
@moffittjc Some of the things others believe about Australia, or simply don't know, astound me sometimes, even allowing for how we don't really count in the greater universe. However, we do count more than we once did! 
And points for having heard of Adelaide. 
And points for having heard of Adelaide. 1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (174228)
• United States
28 Dec
We had almost the same rhyme here. We called them ladybugs, though.
At our last house I kept having trouble with aphids and bought ladybugs to release among my plants. They worked well getting rid of the aphids. 
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (174228)
• United States
28 Dec
@JudyEv Another time I bought several cases of praying mantises. We had lots of them around for several years after that.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381815)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Dec
@DaddyEvil Oh wow, that's cool. I hadn't heard of that either.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (135583)
• Marion, Ohio
27 Dec
Glad they are doing it the natural way
2 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (49753)
• India
28 Dec
Quite a natural and biological solution.
Unless, in the case if the number of Ladybugs becomes too much to handle.
Or if they proliferate excessively.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381815)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Dec
I don't think there are ever 'too many'. I've never heard of it being a problem.
@luisadannointed (11842)
• Philippines
1 Jan
I love how they found such natural ways.
1 person likes this
@crossbones27 (52907)
• Mojave, California
28 Dec
My mom always said, never mess with a lady bug. They bring good luck. That's all I know. 
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381815)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Dec
Yes, that's my feeling too and it seems you can make a wish on them.
@RasmaSandra (97912)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
27 Dec
I just love ladybugs so colorful and beautiful,
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (51811)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
27 Dec
I remember that rhyme, but with 'ladybug'...
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (208746)
• United States
27 Dec
That little dirty must be worldwide because I heard that when I was a kid. My beloved grandfather either read it to us or told us about it.
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (91299)
• United States
27 Dec
Yes I remember that rhyme Judy!
We say they are a blessing if they land on you.
1 person likes this
@Dreamerby (10111)
• Calcutta, India
27 Dec
Ah helpful ladybugs!
Have a good day !
1 person likes this
