Ladybugs To The Rescue

[MikeyS]

So I introduced some special forces troops to my garden yesterday, namely deploying them around my two cherry trees which are infested with aphids as not much else was helping. My question is how soon until the ladybugs start kicking some butt? Will the neem oil I sprayed the trees with have an affect on them? Will the ants that are working with the aphids keep the ladybugs away? Thanks.

Mike

 

[Anniekay]

They should start right away. What I do is cut off the new growth that is completely covered in aphids, because they only want the soft growing tips anyway, (it'll grow back,) then the lady bugs do the rest. This minimizes the damage from the aphids.

You could also have hosed them off. Once they hit the ground it's a weeks trip back up the plant, with no food or water, for them !!

 

[MikeyS]

I hosed them, crushed them, drowned them in neem oil. They're tough little turds. I want to watch the ladybugs go in there and Mike Tyson them.

 

[MiTmite9]

Aphid infestations seem to come and go. Best of luck with your attempts at aphid control.

Just so you know: When it comes to decimating aphid populations, it's the Ladybug nymphs who are the true chowhounds. Maybe now that you've introduced the adult beetles, you'll garner some future protection as well.

"Mature ladybugs will feed on 20 to 25 aphids per day, but their late-stage larvae will consume 10 times that number, making them far more effective predators, …"

Ladybug, where have you gone? Aphid fighters tend to roam

To some casual observers, ladybugs (or lady beetles) are colorful symbols of good luck—harbingers of fortune and fame. Gardeners value them for their utility as ravenous insects that prey upon plant pests. They buy them by the hundreds online or from garden centers, and then free them to hunt.

phys.org

 

[MikeyS]

Well I'm hoping they're at work because I haven't noticed any anywhere in the garden and none on my cherry trees, which I think are suffering from other issues as well. Going to post some pics later on.