Using ladybugs for pest control

When you're learning about something new, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of relevant information available. This informative article should help you focus on the central points.

We have all heard of ladybugs, but many did not know the exact name for them is the ladybird beetle. They are not insects at all, but beetles. Worldwide there are nearly 5,000 different kinds of ladybugs of which 400 are found in north america. The most common beneficial species of the ladybird beetle in north america is called the convergent lady beetle.

If we want to spend most of our time in the garden, physically taking out the pests is the best natural way to get pests under control. Either picking the bugs and insects off of the plants or creating barriers at the base or over the whole area or filling in holes where pests are entering the area. The trouble is, they seem to always find another way in.

No garden is completely pest or disease free. But, you can minimize pests by using these conditions to keep your garden in harmony and from attack. To correct problems, always go with the least toxic pest control options for your garden's sake, starting with these home remedies. They will help alleviate pest problems, but are less toxic on the environment and safer for your family and your pets.

I assume that what you've read so far has been informative. The following section should go a long way toward clearing up any uncertainty that may remain.

The life cycle of all ladybugs are mainly the same. They lay their eggs in the spring. When the eggs hatch, their larvae will feed for 2 weeks and then pupate into adults. In wintertime, they hibernate or will have died in the fall. Springtime they awake to feed and lay more eggs again.

Ladybugs are best known for their biological pest control. They eat mites, scales, whitefly, mealy bugs and most other soft insects, besides eating their favorite aphids. They also eat cabbage moths, bollworms, tomato hornworms and broccoli worms. Ladybugs will eat up to one thousand aphids in their lifetime in both their larvae and adult stages. Ladybugs are one of the best, most effective forms of biological pest control that we have.

Since you can't put a vacancy sign up to bring ladybugs, most people order them through the mail. You receive a package of thousands of ladybugs, which you can release into your garden or yard. Yes some will die and some will fly away, but the ones that remain will begin to work quickly. People complain that the ladybug when released will fly off and leave behind aphids to eat your plants. Not all of them will leave, the rest will eat all the aphids they can find and then fly away sending back more of their friends to eat what is left behind.

Now you can be a confident expert on pest. OK, maybe not an expert. But you should have something to bring to the table next time you join a discussion on pest.

Source: http://www.thecontentcorner.com/Article/Using-ladybugs-for-pest-control/16700