gardening with lady bugs/ mantis...

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Googlie4gardens Victorville, CA(Zone 8b) Mar 14, 2011

I am considering buying some lady bugs or some praying mantis for my garden. does anyone have any expierence with gardening with them in a greenhouse or an outdoor garden? I am gardening both in doors and out. Im mainly looking for tips/advice on how many, what veggies do or dont tolerate them, etc. Or any good articles on this site or any other.

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themoonhowl Prairieville, LA(Zone 9a) Mar 14, 2011

Here are some articles and info for you. The only problem we have had is ladybugs getting into the attic over the winter. I hope you find these helpful.

http://www.gardeninsects.com/

http://www.finegardening.com/how-to/articles/attracting-beneficial-insects.aspx

http://www.buglogical.com/

http://www.suite101.com/content/beneficial-insects-for-the-garden-a189875

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kwanjin (Zone 7a) Mar 14, 2011

I have the opposite problem of getting the Ladies to stay. I bought a bag of them once and they were all gone after about 3 days. They ate every aphid in sight 1st, THEN they left. I have a resident mantis that lays eggs for me. They tend to stick around for me. I don't use insecticides and that helps bring the predators in.

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JohnPavon Napa, CA Mar 16, 2011

Although I encourage everyone to use Ladybugs, most people do not know they do need a nesting box or house, new blog on the History of the Ladybug http://historyoftheladybug.blogspot.com/

Thumbnail by JohnPavon
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Mar 16, 2011

i believe ladybugs try to return to where they were hatched rather than stay where released. i have a resident population where i am now, but got very frustrated with purchased ones leaving where i used to live, until someone told me that. then i quit buying them

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dirt_digger Longwood, FL(Zone 9b) Mar 17, 2011

If you have a no-pesticide yard, and you wait long enough, you will have native, resident lady bugs, as well as other good bugs. The hard part is seeing your plant covered with aphids and having to wait. If you decide to manually squish the aphids, be very careful that the good bug larvae are not mixed in and starting work. Learn to identify the good bugs in their various stages. I tried buying ladybugs years ago, and now I do not think it was a prudent way to spend money -- they do leave. Our local garden guru jokes that when you buy ladybugs, release them across the street, so when they leave where you release them they will come to your yard. I never tried the mantis.

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Googlie4gardens Victorville, CA(Zone 8b) Mar 22, 2011

WOW, thanks for all your responses. Unfortunately the 30-60 mph wind gusts we had on sunday wiped out the panels/ windows of my greenhouse so my greenhouse garden will be put on hold til I can afford to replace them :( On the bright side, I guess this will give me plenty of time to research lady bugs. Thank you again for the links and responses!



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themoonhowl Prairieville, LA(Zone 9a) Mar 23, 2011

Sorry about your greenhouse...what a bummer.

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