What attracts ladybugs and keeps them in your plot

Ladybugs, with their polka-dot wings and voracious appetites for pests, are a fantastic organic solution for protecting your garden from unwanted guests like aphids, mealybugs, and mites. Attracting and convincing these adorable beetles to settle down in your garden can be a bit tricky, though, as they tend to take flight and explore new areas. Many gardeners purchased these little beasts online, and release them only to see them fly away. Fortunately, we’ve got some top tips to entice these beneficial bugs to stick around after their release.

1. Perfect Timing for Release: Ladybugs are less likely to fly away under the cloak of dusk or early evening, making it the ideal time to set them free in your garden. It can be helpful to give your ladybugs a gentle misting with water before release. This not only ensures they’re well-hydrated but also dampens their wings, making them less inclined to fly away immediately.

2. Ensure a Feast Fit for a Lady(bug): Ladybugs will be more tempted to call your garden home if there’s a bountiful buffet waiting for them. If your garden is home to a thriving population of aphids or other soft-bodied pests, ladybugs are likely to stay put.

3. Plant Ladybug Favorites: Certain plants are like magnets for ladybugs. Consider diversifying your garden with ladybug-friendly varieties such as dill, fennel, marigold, cosmos, and yarrow. These plants offer nectar, pollen, and the type of insect prey ladybugs relish.

4. Water – The Elixir of Life: Ladybugs, like all living creatures, require water. You can cater to this need by maintaining a shallow dish filled with water in your garden or misting your plants regularly.

5. Say No to Pesticides: Pesticides can wreak havoc on ladybugs and their food sources. If you’re planning to introduce ladybugs as a method of pest control, it’s imperative to steer clear of these harmful chemicals.

6. Create a Ladybug Haven: Ladybugs appreciate a garden with plenty of hideouts, perfect for overwintering and laying their eggs. A slightly wild corner in your garden, featuring piles of leaves or logs, can serve as the ideal habitat for your ladybug guests.

By implementing these strategies, your garden will become a more appealing haven for ladybugs, increasing the chances they’ll decide to stick around after you’ve released them. Keep in mind, though, as free spirits of the wild, ladybugs will ultimately choose their path, and it may not always be in your garden. But with these tips, you’re certainly increasing your odds of a ladybug-friendly garden teeming with natural pest control.