There are insects like aphids that we do not want to see even remotely close to our plants. On the other hand, there are others that are very beneficial for the environment and help the development of our garden, such as ladybugs, bees and butterflies. Therefore, let's see where to buy live ladybugs.
If you want your plants to look their best, it's time to discover what these insects can do for them and where you can buy them to bring them directly to your garden.
Why are ladybugs good for plants?
Ladybugs are insects, small beetles that They belong to the Coccinellidae family. They are easily recognizable by their round or oval shape and their bright colors that include different combinations of red, orange and black.
Unlike other “bugs”, ladybugs have such a striking and pretty appearance that they Most people don't find them unpleasant. and that works in your favor. Because, in most cases, if we see a ladybug, we leave it alone. On the other hand, if we see an insect that seems unpleasant to us, we will do everything possible to get rid of it.
What you may not know about these animals is that they are large predators. They feed on aphids, mites and other similar insects, Therefore, they are great allies when it comes to keeping the garden and orchard in optimal conditions and free of pests.
Here are a few reasons to attract ladybugs to your garden or, if you can't, to find where to buy live ladybugs.
Pest control
As we have just pointed out, these insects feed on others that are harmful to our plants. And they are especially effective when it comes to controlling the aphid population.
Aphids feed on plant sap and can quickly kill species such as rose bushes or geraniums, among others. Therefore, it is advisable that you keep these types of pests at bay, and Ladybugs are a great help when it comes to achieving this.
Lifecycle
The life cycle of ladybugs includes going through the larva and pupal phases. Unlike other insects, ladybugs also continue to feed on insects while they are in the full development phase to achieve the appearance for which they are so popular.
This is a point in their favor and that of our garden, because even during their maturation phase these insects continue to feed on aphids and help prevent these or other varieties of insects from becoming a pest.
They do not harm plants
Although it is important to control pests, we already know that there are methods that can damage plants. And it turns out that ladybugs are an effective and totally harmless method for the plant, because In no case do they damage it.
If you see a ladybug on a plant, don't think it is eating the leaves. On the contrary, it will be eating all the bugs that may be on those leaves, thus contributing to the health and well-being of the plant.
They are friendly to the environment
Nowadays we are all aware of the importance of taking care of the environment, and We know that some pest control products can be toxic. and affect the natural environment.
On the other hand, with ladybugs we can control pests without having to resort to the use of synthetic chemicals. We achieve our goal of taking care of our garden or our orchard without causing negative effects on the plants or other organisms.
easy to attract
Although there are already places to buy live ladybugs, we can also attract them naturally to our garden. It's as simple as planting flowers and herbs that provide nectar and pollen.
In addition, try not to use excessive pesticides or other pest control products that may harm ladybugs and other insects that are beneficial to the ecosystem.
Where to buy live ladybugs?
If your plants are becoming infested with aphids, mealybugs or mites, it's time to take action. AND We have already seen that ladybugs are the best “weapon” to eliminate these insects, because they turn out to be very voracious.
In case you have not achieved attract ladybugs to your garden, or not in enough quantity, don't worry, because you can buy them.
There are many stores where you can buy live ladybugs in Spain, these are establishments specialized in the sale of these insects, both in their adult version and in their larva stage. They usually come in boxes that allow easy application of insects in the place where you want them to work, and the usual thing is that in each pack there are at least 20 units.
Benefits of ladybugs in our orchard and garden
Even if you don't have a problem with plant-damaging insect pests, having ladybugs in your garden is beneficial.
- Pollination. Although the ladybug is not a pure pollinator, some subspecies of it do help with pollination by feeding on nectar and pollen.
- Bird attraction. Ladybugs are a delicious snack for birds such as swallows and sparrows. If you have them in your garden, it won't take long for you to see these birds appear. This is good, because these are birds that not only eat ladybugs, but also feed on other insects that are harmful to your plants.
- Soil fertilization. Ladybug droppings act as a natural fertilizer for the soil. Thus generating a more favorable environment for the growth of plants.
- Ecological balance. If there are ladybugs in a garden, this is a sign that the ecosystem is balanced and healthy. If you encourage the diversity of insects and organisms, you contribute to maintaining the natural balance, preventing possible pests.
- Resistance against diseases. Some studies have shown that gardens that have a healthy population of ladybugs can become more resistant to certain diseases. This is due to the ability of these insects to control the population of disease-carrying insects.
As you have seen, these small insects not only help us control pests, but also have other additional positive impacts on the health and beauty of our garden. Now that you know where to buy live ladybugs, don't hesitate to incorporate them into the green areas of your home.