Ladybirds are everyone’s favourite garden beetle. A welcome visitor, they eat aphids (sap-sucking insects) along with other garden creatures, so no chemicals needed.
Organic gardens will attract ladybirds who will stay to eat their way through summer, then hibernate in winter.
One ladybird will eat around 4,000 aphids in a lifetime. So never harm aphids, as they form an important part of the food chain (numbers increase in spring, but that is to provide food for new young ladybirds.
There are many types of ladybirds. Some have spots (2, 7, 14 or 22), others are cream and brown, and there is even a vegetarian Bryony ladybird!
Harlequin ladybirds are not native, but it’s difficult to tell the difference. And although they mostly also eat aphids, so all experts say to leave them alone.
Most ladybirds live one to two years, with eggs looking like ‘baby alligators). They are often found on nettles, so again leave them alone (don’t forage nearby) until you’re sure they have ‘flown the nest’ a few weeks later.
Lady-Bird Friendly Organic Gardens
The best way to encourage ladybirds to your garden is to garden organically and provide pollen-rich flowers. If you live with animal friends, learn how to create pet-friendly gardens, as many flowers are unsafe near them.
Flowers that ladybirds love are all usually red, orange and yellow including:
- Sunflowers
- Marigolds
- Calendula
- Geranium
- Nasturtiums
Ladybirds also love lavender and herbs (dill, mint, lemon balm and coriander).
How to Help Hibernating Ladybirds
In winter, ladybirds like to hibernate in clusters. In nature, they would do these in hollow stems, so don’t disturb such gardens, leave them messy so they have somewhere to keep warm over winter. Otherwise they may try to come into houses, and often dehydrate.
This ladybird tower has over 700 5-star reviews, and is made from air-dried FSC-certified timber logs, and is also good for other beneficial garden insects.
Each tower is made to provide a hollow central chamber filled with straw, to provide insulation and security. Access to the central chamber is by paths drilled through the sides of the log, and the apex roof protects the central chamber.
It’s sold with a ground pole (fixed at the rear) to allow it to be sited on laws, sheltered flower beds, wooded glades and even planters.
To encourage occupation, you can smear ladybird food on the entrance holes. Just mix a little with a drop of water in a small dish to form a paste. Keep the sachets cool and dry (once open, they last for around 4 months).
What if Ladybirds Are On Your Windows?
Ladybirds cluster together in winter to hibernate until March or April, and due to loss of habitat outside (trees etc), many are found high up on windows. Sealing windows beforehand is the best preventive measure.
They do no harm but it can be upsetting as the high temperatures of modern homes means many wake up early and look for aphids, and either starve or dehydrate.
If the room can be cooled (turn off central heating etc) it’s likely best to leave them be. But if you see ‘moving ladybirds’ or dehydrating ones before spring, most will likely die if not helped. It’s difficult as they are easily injured.
One expert suggests gently sweeping them using a make-up brush into a matchbox with small air holes, then transferring to a (smallish) shoe box with air punch holes, and locating to a shed, outside porch etc, so they can fly out when they wake up. Or ideally relocate them to near a ladybird tower (as above), smeared with ladybird food to attract them.
She found 15 died and the other 45 or so flew off, so is trying a smaller shoebox next year, so they can huddle closer for warmth. Another option is for a joiner to create a ‘sheltered dark shelf’ so if they return, they don’t over-heat.
A Book to Learn More on Ladybirds
A Day in the Life of a Ladybird is filled with beautiful photographs, educating children and older readers on how ladybirds feed on aphids (tiny insects), how she uses her powerful wings for flying, and where in spring she finds the perfect place to lay eggs. Discover all to know about this popular little beetle.
