When I got home, I scattered the the little ladies (and gentlemen) all throughout my back patio and front porch.
In conjunction with the ladybugs, I am also trying the following methods to get rid of my aphids:
- Spray them with a solution of Shaklee Basic H2 (or other earth friendly soap) mixed with veggie oil.
- Sprinkle food grade diatomaceous earth on the plants. Diatomaceous earth will kill ladybugs and helpful bees too, so I used this before a rain and before releasing my ladybugs. If you’ve never heard of diatomaceous earth before, you can learn more about it here. I bought a huge bag for $5 on ebay.
I am also blessed with slugs and cut worms. Diatomaceous earth is supposed to help cut down on these buggers too, but I’ve also tried the beer in a shallow pan trick with success. Click here if you want to watch a youtube video of how this works. It’s quite impressive; however, I have heard that the beer might attract a slug party from neighboring yards. Can’t you just hear them now, “Dude, kegger at A2Z’s tonight. Spread the word!” Those naughty carousing slugs!
How about you? Any tried and true natural methods of ridding your garden of pests?
Anonymous says
found your site on del.icio.us today and really liked it.. i bookmarked it and will be back to check it out some more later
Deanna says
There is actually a website that is studying ladybugs and some of your photos are great. They are studying which kids of ladybugs are where. Aparently some species are being wiped out and replaced with others. They will identify which species you have. You can upload photos and wee what kind(s) are in your area. Lots of cool printables for the kiddos, too.
http://www.lostladybug.org/
Denise says
I recently attended a gardening seminar and the presenter was an organic landscaper. She had lots of good ideas for natural ways to get rid of garden "pests" including your ladybugs for aphids idea.
Her idea for getting rid of slugs was to take your garden shears and snip them in half. She said it was little gross the first few times, but if you have a lot of them, it doesn't take long to get used to it. I haven't tried it yet, but might if I get desperate.
Stephanie Lynn says
The lady bugs are gorgeous in the jar!! We have so many of those little guys..they love your house in the winter. I never knew the 'good' about them! I'll have to start collecting them off our wall and putting them with the plants! Your flowers are gorgeous!!!
bargainblondie says
Wow.. This is so cute! I never would have thought about that. Oh and I love your pictures!
Elisabeth
Sjn says
I agree, you got some great shots of the ladies and gentlemen! Hope it works.
Kim says
Oh, be careful! Some genius brought asian lady beetles to the midwest years ago to control aphids on the crops and we are now infested. They will get in your house and multiply like CRAZY…I know from experience. And then you end up spraying those chemicals in your house because once they like a house they let out pheromones and attract more beetles. We had an infestation this year and until we found something to kill them that was safe for kids I was vacuuming 3-4 times a day and getting hundreds of them. Sorry for the soapbox…it was a really annoying problem.
Jess @ Frugal with a Flourish says
Saw your tweet about a kegger and I thought I was a little too sleepy still! Lol! Great tips and it is true about the beer – you don't want to make it a regular "treat" or the slugs will seek you out!
My name is PJ. says
When we grew honeysuckle and the aphids thought it a delicacy, I mail ordered lady bugs several times and they worked like a charm!
Michelle says
Is it funny that the ad for this post was that of Terminix? haha… I found that funny at almost 5am. Sorry. 🙂 The baskets are beautiful and I love ladybugs. The whole idea is simply adorable!
Craftify It! says
The pics of the ladybugs are amazing & that last one DOES look scary! Hope they eat away your aphids!
Lovely Little Nest says
haha wow, that is really funny and also a great idea! But I agree; that lady bug looks positively ticked off!
maura says
Beth, heard you were having a kegger! to bad I don't live nearby. We have tons of lady bugs around here in the summer they tend to make their way inside too. I went to the doctors last year and the side of the office was red- totally covered in lady bugs. Oh I am having a giveaway this week and noticed you did not put your name in the hat. Come on by!
Frugal Home Designs says
Great tips. Last year we had an infestation of ants, I also didn't want to use chemicals. After a little Google action, I tried instant grits sprinkled by them and their home. Next thing you know, no ants. I guess they eat it and the grits expand in their stomach. Worked like a charm.
Pam says
I so love these little buggies. They were always a safe bug that you could play with and not worry about a nasty bite. Thanks for the info, I did not realize they were good for this……if you have a natural way to rid my yard of ants I am interested in hearing it.
Kathy says
I busted out laughing at the police tape around the plant.
I need that in my house for my plants. Not due to aphids but due to ME! LOL!!
Jenn @ WestSacHoney says
Holy Moly that's alot of lady bugs! I never knew that about raisins and cotton balls! I love lady bugs they are so cute while they kill off the mean bugs. I haven't had any problems with aphids yet.. If I do I'll need some ladybugs stat!
Jamie says
Great idea, and they will kill the other little pest but be beware, those are not truely "ladybugs" they are actually a beetle and they bite!! They can easily take over and become more trouble then you want. Here is a link that tells about them…..
http://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef416.asp
just keep an eye out inside your home, if they get inside they can multiply FAST. My mom had to have her house exterminated because these beetle had got into the attic and just about took over.
They are great for your gardens, but, from experience, these little suckers hurt like hell when they bite you!!
1 Funky Woman says
I had no idea this would do the trick, we will definitely be trying this!
Melissa Miller says
LOL! Beth this post is too cute! Love the ladybugs. What a clever trick. ~Melissa 🙂
Blondie's Journal says
Wow!! You took some great pictures of these little critters. I saw one smiling!!
xoxo
Jane
ourlifeinaclick.blogspot.com says
Awww..the ladybug jars are so pretty!!!
I know they release a lot of lb's in Disney as natural pesticides.
It's good luck to find one!
-heather