Release the Ladybugs!!

Cup 'o Ladybugs!

The aphids are back.

We first met last summer, when our backyard was recently completed. I've tried spraying them every week or so with Neem and have even resorted to wiping down each leaf individually with soapy water. Both tactics work for a while, but they still come back.

So today, I decided to bring in the big guns.

Today I brought in the ladybugs!

I bought a container of roughly 1500 lady bugs.

I did my research online and found this:

RELEASE INSTRUCTIONS: When you are home, put the bag in a cool place (refrigerator) until late in the day or early morning. Do not release the ladybugs during the heat of the day or while the sun is shining. Sprinkle or irrigate the area before releasing, so the ladybugs will have a drink of water after their journey.

I brought my Cup 'o Ladybugs home, and put them in the fridge to hibernate until dusk. After dinner, I sprayed the aphid-infected area down with water, then Dick and I released the ladybugs!


documenting the time of release ;)


taking the lid off


Feasting Ladybugs!

On a geeky note, I hope some of you got my nerdy reference to "Clash of the Titans" from my post's title. Release the Kracken! I figure the ladybugs are probably Kracken-Scary to those tiny aphids.


Release the Kracken!

On a whole other angle, thinking about the ladybugs having a feast of aphids makes me think back to the "Ladybug Picnic" from Sesame Street. Which in turn, makes me think about my friend, Diana. :)



Enjoy your Ladybug Picnic, little ladybugs! Relax, enjoy, and stay a while!