Pointers anyone on ladybugs

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Author Message   Pinkdamsel  My Weather Posted on Monday, November 19, 2007 - 04:27 pm EST :    I'm off to get my 1500 ladybugs to introduce to my garden because of problems (aphids) on some of my brugs. Can yall give pointers on introducing ladybugs to your garden? Pinkdamsel - Louisiana, Zone "9a"   Luis_pr  My Time Posted on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 - 01:59 am EST :    A lot of them will leave for "greener pastures"... no way around that. But, I release them at sun down after the garden has been watered and the nearby shrubs have some moisture on them. I also provide some sources of water for the next few weeks at strategic points. For the next week, I will turn on the sprinkler system for about 5 minutes in the mornings just to get the shrubs wet again. Some places even sell a paste that is supposed to be "ladybug food" but I have not tried it. Ditto for ladybug "houses" sold in some stores. Release some in multiple areas with aphid infestations as opposed to opening the container and letting them all go where they want. I do not usually release them this late in the year but if you have to, go for it Pinkdamsel! Luis_pr - Hurst, Texas, Zone "USDA 7b/8a"   Luis_pr  My Time Posted on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 - 02:05 am EST :    Oops, sorry. I posted the msg but was not done. I left out that I also release Trichogramma Wasps and Lacewings at the same time as I release ladybugs. Plus, I also provide them with some plants that attract ladybugs, like yarrow, buttefly weed, dill and dandelion (I am not proud of that last one but oh well....). Luis Luis_pr - Hurst, Texas, Zone "USDA 7b/8a"   Pinkdamsel  My Weather Posted on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 - 01:11 pm EST :    Hi LuisThanks for your info! The lady at the shop where I purchased the LB's told me to release some near or on the plants infested at sunset too as they will fly away during the day. I'm wondering how long my LB's will stay alive refrigerated? Hadn't heard about LB paste though. What do trichogramma wasps eat? I've seen a few lacewings in my courtyard. I think I will purchase a few praying mantis when they become available here. P. S. I looked this am to see if there still were ladybugs on my brugs and sure enough, this is what I saw! Who knows, I may even become a mommy many times over, I hope! Stephanie Pinkdamsel - Louisiana, Zone "9a"   Luis_pr  My Time Posted on Wednesday, November 21, 2007 - 06:26 am EST :    I mentioned the wasps as a f.y.i. because I release some in spring along with ladybugs. They are very tiny, very small small miniature (0.18 mm long only) yellow jackets that infect other insects' eggs. As such, they can be effectively used to control pests without being afraid of having wasps around. You actually need a microscope to see them clearly! Once they find an area with eggs, they parasitize them. To keep them in your yard, go easy on chemical pesticides/insecticides. Also since these wasps are so small, provide very small flowers as a nectar source. Whenever you encounter discolored insect eggs, you probably have Trichogramma Wasps around. Google for more info on these guys. I have seen them for sale in some local nurseries but they can also be bought by mail. Luis_pr - Hurst, Texas, Zone "USDA 7b/8a"   Pinkdamsel  My Weather Posted on Thursday, November 22, 2007 - 03:32 pm EST :    Hi Luis, Happy Thanksgiving! Thanks for the great info on Tricho wasps. I may look into purchasing some in spring. Pinkdamsel - Louisiana, Zone "9a"

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