Aphid problem? Try ladybugs!

10 years ago

I've seeing a lot of people having aphids overrunning their tomatoes. I, also, have had tons of aphids and whiteflies on my plants, and have exhausted all the sprays I knew to use (neem oil, also). I did some research on aphids and came across a lot of message boards for marijuana growers experiencing intense aphid swarms. Apparently their go-to for aphids is ladybugs.

So I broke down and ordered 1,500 ladybugs from Amazon for $6. They came two days later (hooray for Prime!) and I released them that evening. In less than 24 hours, I noticed a HUGE decline in the aphids.

If you notice my photos, the blossoms are covered in aphids. Those few ladybugs are working their way up the leaves and annihilating every pest in their path.

I'm definitely done with sprays for insect pests and will absolutely order more next time around!

just some advice for anyone experiencing the same problem :)

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Comments (3)

Humsi
10 years ago
Nice pictures :) Ladybugs are terrific for aphids, I agree. You might also think about googling and planting some things that attract ladybugs so you don't have to keep buying them, too. I've had a lot of volunteer dill the last few years and they have been just covered in ladybugs, in a garden which used to have none at all.
katiekat2739
Original Author
10 years ago
I have a lot of flowers, and dill and cilantro growing near the tomatoes. Supposedly ladybugs love dill and cilantro, but I haven't noticed any ladybugs all summer. Maybe next summer will be better after my plants are established again.
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Humsi
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Hopefully, if nothing else, the ones you released will lay eggs so that you'll have some next year. Trying to remember, but I think it took a couple of years gardening at this house before I had a good population of ladybugs every spring...and about two years into the volunteer dill for a great population. Hope and patience, maybe.
katiekat2739 thanked Humsi