I also introduce lady bugs every year, they seem to have a huge impact on the aphids around here and i really hate to use pesticides for a number of reasons so i feel these little troopers are a must.

Thanks toolbelt, what a great idea. Fountain grass would not normally be in my design but I will consider finding a spot and adding. I wonder if the fountain drew the aphids which in turn drew the ladybugs. Maybe it would be like feeding the rabbits hoping they will leave my garden plants alone. :-)

One of my problems is most of the ladies eat and leave. A few stay but usually I buy them several times a year to keep the aphids etc at bay. Is this your experience Dirt D. ?

I find i normally have good outcome only introducing them in the beginning of the season when i first start to notice the aphids, as appear before many things bloom.

I have a number of other plantings that attract predatory insects which seem to keep the aphids at bay the majority of the season once they begin blooming.

They ladies are a great first line of defense.

Pardon the auto typing correction

so what are the plantings that draw the predatory... so far fountain grass is on my list as per tool but it is going to be tough to link it to my rear garden where the rose live.... have nice size back yard but still it is a city lot with those limitations

austinkisses, I didn’t pay much attention to it after I noticed them in the grass. I’m not one to worry about the plants…. they either grow or go. BTW, I did have a lot of Fountain grass plants come up all over the yard so take that into consideration…. It may still pay you to buy the little guys instead of raising them…. have fun

Many flowers in the daisy family such as asters, cone flowers and rudibekia (which does spread quickly) also alliums and plants in the mint family like hyssop and bee balm all attract predatory wasp and other beneficial insects.

Believe it or not many of your common herbs are also great host plants and food sources for butterfly larvae, but it all depends on how much you really want to get into it.

Enjoy planting!

Has anyone ordered these on amazon? I'd like to try but really have no idea what I'm doing.

Interesting that ladybugs are the topic. Three or four days ago, when the temperature hit 60F outside, I found a ladybug on the inside kitchen window screen, trying to get out. I put here outside, and she promptly flew away.

I have never seen a ladybug here anywhere near this early before.

Did that link work

1500 Live Ladybugs - Good Bugs - Ladybugs - Guaranteed Live Delivery! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01B5BBNPS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_ovPGEb4N82H6G

Never had an issue ordering from them. ( finally got the link right)

Thanks all for input. My experience is most nurseries carry ladybugs so maybe easier to buy local. My research was local was significantly less expensive. Big box stores do not have however. DDigger I grow some of your suggestions which could be why butterflies, bees, and ladybugs are usually present. Not sure about the other predators but truthfully I may not recognize them. When aphids hit I always get extra, it would be great have more come naturally to my garden. I only spray for mites to control RRD and spider. I use products that do not kill the good guys according to the label anyway. Most of these miticides are pricy but worth it to keep garden balance.