BEFORE YOU GO SPRAYING YOUR PRECIOUS PLANTS WITH CHEMICAL-BASED PESTICIDES, CONSIDER EFFECTIVE NATURAL ALTERNATIVES TO RID YOUR GARDEN OF NASTY PESTS.
Pesticides and insecticides do not discriminate; they typically kill all insects. This is not a good thing because many insects can do wonders for your garden and you will want to encourage these to take up residence in your soil. One such insect is the ladybug.
These spotted beauties aren’t just the most adorable beetles ever; they are an insect’s worst enemy. Ladybugs are real troopers at ridding gardens of aphids, tiny soft-bodies insects that multiply rapidly. They also eat mites, lice, insect eggs and other soft-bodies insects. These tiny beetles have quite the appetite, feasting on upwards of 50 aphids per day.
How can you welcome ladybugs to your garden? Planting beautiful floral plants that provide nectar is one way. They love scented flowers like geraniums and dandelions; and herbs like dill, caraway and cilantro.
You should avoid spraying insecticides, as these may kill the ladybugs. If you see larvae and other pests, resist the urge to spray. If all pests (ladybug food) are gone, the beneficial ladybugs will leave, too. Instead, let the ladybugs do the work, as nature intended.
HOW TO MAKE A LADY BUG TERRARIUM
Lady bugs are great pets to keep for the winter. They are small, odorless, hardy survivors. When spring arrives, release your ladybug pet into your outdoor garden to keep the aphids away!
TO MAKE YOUR TERRARIUM YOU WILL NEED:
A jar with a lid – any size, we used a pint jar
Pebbles or rocks – any kind
Dried moss – decorative
Leaves and sticks
1 cotton ball
2-3 raisins
Step 1 – Make holes in the top of the lid Step
2 – Place the pebbles in the bottom of the jar, followed by the dried moss.
Step 3 – Spread leaves and sticks with water and place on top of moss (Optional…add fun items to your jar like a miniature tree or bird house!)
Step 4 – Wet a cotton ball – squeeze to release excess water place in jar
Step 5 – Soak 1 or 2 raisins in water then place in jar.
Step 6 – Add your ladybug, place lid on top and enjoy watching your ladybug eat the raisins and drink water from the cotton ball.
Ladybugs like humidity, so if your leaves and sticks dry out, spray with a little water. Make sure to keep a damp cotton ball and raisin in the jar for food and water. Ladybugs like honey too. Place a small drop of honey on the damp cotton ball for a special treat for your new pet!
