How To Care For Ladybugs

When released properly, happy ladybugs will mate and lay eggs in your garden so you'll only need to release them once! Follow these simple guidelines to keep happy ladybugs feasting and breeding in your garden.

1. Release ladybugs ONLY when there is an abundant food source (aphids) present.

2. Do not release ladybugs either prior to or following a pesticide application.

3. Place unopened container of ladybugs in the shade of an infested plant for three days.

4. Mist them several times a day to keep them happy and healthy.

5. At sunset of the third day, open the container. Do not shake out the ladybugs. Instead, mist them again and
    take a branch from the aphid-infested plant and bend it into the container. Ladybugs don't fly at night or
    when wet. They will begin feeding that night.

6. At sunrise the following day, mist the entire plant. Some ladybugs may flyaway but many will be unwilling to
    leave your well stocked garden cafeteria. If only a few stay around for 48 hours they will mate and lay eggs.
    The hatching larvae are even more efficient aphid eaters then their parents.

7. Optional-You can mist the ladybugs at step 6 with a 50:50 mixture of Seven-Up and water. This will
     temporarily glue the ladybugs wings down preventing flight.

8. Learn to recognize the three life stages of the ladybug to avoid hurting them.

        a. Lemon yellow ladybugs eggs on the underside of leaves.

        b.  A ladybug larva, one voracious aphid eater.

        c. The adult ladybug, your garden's best friend.