Tips for attracting native lady beetles to the garden
Most lady beetles feed on small insect prey; depending on their size their pray may include aphids, insect eggs, mites, small caterpillars, or even fungi and mildews for the smallest species. If you are interested in attracting lady beetles to your garden it can be helpful to provide the following resources for them:
· Provide a variety of flowers that produce blooms throughout the season – adults will use pollen and nectar as alternative food resources. Flat, shallow flowers, such as yarrow, provide an easy landing spot for lady beetles. Lady beetles are also attracted to many of the flowers found in herb gardens, including basil, mint, dill, coriander, & thyme.
· Leave some aphids be! Lady beetles need food, so being too overzealous with the pest control can eliminate food resources for lady beetles. Flower gardens can be a good place to let some aphids be as opposed to having to tolerate aphids on your lettuce and broccoli.
· Leave leaf litter and dead stems at the end of the season, these structural elements can provide sheltered spots for lady beetles to spend the winter.
· Provide habitat complexity. Some lady beetles have preferences for specific habitats, so having a variety of planted habitat in the garden can help attract different species of lady beetles. Some might prefer to hunt in trees and shrubs whereas others prefer grasses or flowers.
· Be mindful of pest control practices. Use cultural or physical techniques when possible, and choose more pest-specific insecticides over broad-spectrum insecticides.
