It is no secret that ladybirds are a gardeners very best friend. Ladybirds are nature’s way of controlling pests, as they love to dine on aphids and other bugs that would love to eat your plants. Attracting ladybirds to your garden is an excellent idea, because it offers a natural and free pest control which can’t be beat!
How to Attract Ladybirds to Your Garden
1. Include their favourite plants in your landscaping. Ladybirds love fennel, dill, and coriander. Add these herbs into your flower beds and landscaping to attract ladybirds to come visit. Ladybirds also like to hide in crevices or relax in the shade.
2. Keep flower beds damp. Keep your soil and plants as moist as possible without over watering. Ladybirds like to be hydrated and fresh, cool water will always be attractive to them. You can also provide feeding stations. Take a lid and add some water to it. Place it in your flower bed, using a rock to hold it in place. Ladybirds will love climbing in and out to take a sip.
3. Don’t use chemicals. Using chemicals in any form can keep ladybirds at bay. Avoid using chemical pest repellents or fertilisers as they can kill any ladybirds that are present as well as repel any new ones from wanting to settle in. Use only natural remedies instead as they provide a more habitable environment for the ladybirds.
4. Don’t be quick to kill aphids. If you find any aphids or their eggs, don’t be quick to kill them. You want to give ladybirds time to find them and consider your garden a good feeding ground for them. Just leave the pests be for the time being and chances are a ladybirds will find them.
5. Don’t forget the ground cover. Plant low lying ground cover wherever you can. This not only attract ladybirds, but birds as well. They love a cool place to hide.
It may take a little time for your ladybirds to appear, but once the word gets out, your garden will be a hot spot for them. In no time you will have less aphids and other plant eating pests, and the best news is you did it all without chemicals.
Give these tips a try for attracting ladybirds to your garden and see what results you can achieve.