Last updated on October 23rd, 2023 at 08:50 pm
In the long list of small auxiliary insects in the garden or vegetable garden, the ladybug is one of the most appreciated by gardeners. As a good predator, it attacks many insect pests and parasites, starting with aphid colonies. Nevertheless, it would be very simplistic to see them only as a biological control tool against aphids. Ladybugs can indeed replace many chemical products. We always like to see Coccinella septempunctata and Adalia bipunctata in our green spaces! And if it is possible to buy ladybug larvae or adult ladybugs in garden centers, you can also arrange your garden to attract them naturally all year long. Here is how to do it!
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What are the advantages of having ladybugs in your garden ?
We know that they are useful insects, but we often don’t know the reasons why. It is true that ladybugs are voracious predators with about 100 aphids on the menu each day for an adult ladybug and up to 150 for a larva. Nevertheless, ladybugs also attack other pests on a daily basis: mealybugs, mites, thrips, leafhoppers, psyllids… And let’s not forget the 22-spotted ladybug which is one of the most formidable natural enemies of the parasitic fungus that causes rust on our vegetable plants. Therefore, do not hesitate to ask in the garden center which species to choose according to the insect pests and diseases to fight in the plantations.
In addition, let’s not forget that ladybugs, like bees, bumblebees, butterflies and wasps, participate (albeit more modestly) in the pollination of flowers. All these specificities make them essential allies in gardening!
How to attract ladybugs in your garden ?
1) Ban all insecticides and chemical pesticides in the garden
Ladybugs are particularly sensitive to chemical pesticides which can quickly lead to the death of adult individuals. This is particularly the case with insecticides which tend to kill harmful and useful insects without distinction. In addition to pesticides, fungicides and herbicides of all kinds are also very harmful to them. Before you apply a liquid manure, make sure that it will not keep them away. And last but not least, if you want to help ladybugs proliferate in your garden, limit the use of black soap! It’s natural, but they are not fans of it at all…
2) Encourage biodiversity in the garden
The more diversity you have in your choice of plants, the more comfortable these little creatures will feel. Don’t hesitate to leave some corners of nature untouched in our green spaces. The wastelands are indeed areas of the garden where nettle, borage, yarrow, knapweed, wormwood, anthemis and wild carrot that ladybugs love so much can nestle.
They also like plants that attract black aphids and where they can just go and pick their prey: broad beans and nasturtium are their favorites. There are also other plants: oleander, roses, nettle, elder, groundsel, fennel, cereals … And for the seasons when there are fewer aphids, the gardener can also grow plants rich in protein via pollen and nectar from the garden: knapweed, tansy, white manure, grasses, dandelions, fruit trees, hazelnut blossoms, dogwood, etc. A rich flora in the garden will ensure happy ladybugs!
3) Think about ladybug shelters when designing your garden
When autumn arrives, temperatures drop quickly, foreshadowing a harsh winter. These little insects are looking for a shelter to spend the winter in. And in this respect, there are many possibilities in the garden for ladybugs. Think of leaving them evergreen hedges, ivy leaves, piles of moss, tree bark or bark as mulch at the foot of plants, bundles of wood and piles of dead leaves, high wild grass or dry stone walls in protected areas of the garden. You can also opt for a garden center insect hotel that can be placed in a corner protected from wind and rain. With this type of refuge, you will delight more than one!
Good to know : Lovers of ambient humidity, they will also surely appreciate a small pond or a watering hole. This is another point to remember when designing your outdoor space.