Ladybug Release

One Sunday afternoon J and I ran into a Pike Nurseries to buy a support for our porch tomato plant (stay tuned for the porch tomato blog). We picked up a metal support for about $2.99. Pleased with our cheap find we made our way to the register. The woman ran up our purchase and asked J and I if we wanted some ladybugs. We were both perplexed and uncertain of why we would want live (live!!!) ladybugs. She explained it was a promotional item and they were giving them away for free. They eat all the bad bugs in your garden and hopefully lay eggs so the next generation can do the same.

Not one to pass up anything for free, we accepted the ladybugs. I read the directions as we drove home. We were to release the bugs in the evening when they were less active. The thought of 150 ladybugs released and attacking my hair briefly flickered through my mind. J would release the ladybugs and I would watch. He carefully cut the top of the mesh to release the sleepy ladybugs. He may have accidentally squished one or two on their way out. The ladybugs were a vibrant red-orange color. As members of the beetle family, my largest concern was their ability to fly places we did not want them. Fortunately, the night time release was a good tip and the ladybugs did not take flight. The package seems to have what looked like onion flakes, but was surely food.

Now, bear in mind, J and I live in a 1250 square foot apartment on the third floor. While we have a nice sized porch, it is just that. A porch. We had at the time about 6 plants on the porch. 150 ladybugs was a lot of luck for these little plants. None the less we released the ladies about 6:30 in the evening. They flocked every which way to the plants, crawling on them in abundance. We briefly watched the ladybugs and wondered if there would be a mass exodus as they left our porch in search for greener pastures. They stayed. 

When we woke in the morning, we found most of the ladybugs had fled. We didn't see any larva, nor did a new generation of ladybugs spring to life to save the fate of our plants from future harmful bugs. It was a cool experience, but left my uncertain of the results. I think this would be great for a house with a garden, but perhaps did not work as successfully with the potted plants on our third floor balcony.