Attracting ladybugs: A practical, eco‑friendly strategy to guard your garden against pests

The onset of spring-like weather encourages garden owners to start preseason preparations. Unfortunately, even the most picturesque garden can be devastated by parasites. Aphids, in particular, are formidable adversaries, reproducing rapidly and attacking subsequent plants rapidly.

One could certainly find plenty of pest-control products in gardening stores and supermarkets. However, before resorting to these, considering beneficial insects such as ladybugs might be a smarter move.

Ladybugs eagerly eat parasites such as aphids, honeydew, beetle larvae, and flies, as well as various plant-eating mites. This makes them indispensable allies for any gardener. Regrettably, their larvae resemble pests, often leading to mistaken identity and premature death before the gardener realizes their true identities.

An adult ladybug can devour up to 50 aphids per day, and it can live for several months. Therefore, having these beneficial insects in your garden or balcony is a smart move, and achieving that is simple.

To allure ladybugs, using a simple sweet water spray is effective. Add half a teaspoon of sugar to a quart of water, mix it, and spray it on the aphid-infested plants. Ladybugs should appear after a short while.

Making your garden a suitable habitat for these insects is equally important. Leave the grass longer and keep some fallen leaves under trees or bushes for them to hide. Ladybugs are attracted to yellow and white flowers, prompting some people to plant these in gardens. To attract these insects, some even tie bright yellow ribbons to aphid-infested shrubs.

If you are trying to encourage ladybugs, try to avoid using chemical insecticides. These products kill not only parasites but also beneficial insects.