I ordered ladybugs

[EstimatedProphet]

They arrived the other day. Most died in transit. I don't know whether they expect most to die, so they ship a whole bunch so that a few will make it, or whether I got rooked.

[amerikat]

1. I bought a bag of lady bugs once.

I bought it from a local garden supply. There were only a few dead ones out of about 500. I let them out all at once on my garden. The birds had a feast. I think only a few survived after the birds.

[asdjrocky]

2. I bought mine at the garden store.

1000 bugs for 6.99 - and no, I don't know what that works out to on a per bug basis- released them at night like the directions said, and now I haven't seen a lady bug in days. However, I am seeing fewer aphids.

[ailsagirl]

3. I bought some from the nursery and was told to refrigerate them

until night time (apparently, the cool temp has a tranquilizing
effect). Then, once it's night, release them.

That way the birds won't get them and maybe, just MAYBE, they'll
stay put.

Good luck

[jillan]

4. Good luck. I tried that once and they moved away after a day.

If it makes you feel any better, the bag I bought at a garden supply store had lots of dead ones in it too.

[EstimatedProphet]

5. I've seen a few ladybugs lately, so maybe they stayed around

[RedLetterRev]

6. They have a surprisingly large territory

so don't be surprised if you don't see loads. They're around. If you're still troubled with aphids or leafhoppers, order some lacewings. You only need a few of those. They're pretty voracious hunters, too.

[EstimatedProphet]

7. Do you know where I can get lacewings?

[RedLetterRev]

8. My favorite bug place is

BugLogical. Their shipments arrive quickly, as promised and alive. They also ship with complete instructions on how to release or to prepare. Their site's pretty good on what to order against what sort of pest and they have combination packages as well. I've used them for several years now and have been really pleased with the results.

[asdjrocky]

11. What a cool site.

I found the answer to my horn worm problem there, thanks!

[ClayZ]

9. We bought 1500 for $12.99 at the local nursery.

We had to keep them in the refrigerator all afternoon because they said to release at night in a wet garden. The nursery had them in a refrigerator. I did not see a sick or dead one in the bunch.

They seemed a little dazed this morning. I went out to watch the big lift off. They mostly just huddled on the spinach. I got them because our broccoli was so tattered. We were gone all afternoon and not a lady bug to be seen this evening. Maybe they like the neighbors better?

We shall see.

I read that on lady lady bug will hatch 1000 eggs.

[BensMom]

10. I'm Jealous....

I have done lady bugs before and it is a hoot.

I released them from their refrigerated bag to the middle of a tree.
As they came out of the bag, I squirted them with orange pop, cut with water. The pop makes their wings stick to their body until they are acclimated to their new home. It does not hurt them. Boy what fun! And what a mess I was, half way up the tree, bugs and dried up soda pop all over me.

For the full effect - do it when it is about 100 degrees, and humid.


Saw the bugs all summer.
I'd do it again.