**PRE ORDER - Orders will arrive and be ready for pick up by Sept 1**
The ladybugs we sell are native to North America, the species Hippodamia convergens. Their main prey are aphids, but they are generalists, and feed on a variety of other pests including thrips, mites, whitefly, mealybugs, leafhoppers, and many other soft-bodied bugs. As generalists, they also can serve as a great follow up or add-on to help deal with many pest issues you may be facing.
After receiving ladybugs, they can either be released right away or be stored in the fridge for up to 3-4 weeks (see the expiry date stamped onto the label of the bag). The best time to release ladybugs is at dusk, when the bugs are least active, and the environment is not as hot and dry as mid-day. It is also a good idea to mist the plants with water in the area where you’ll be releasing the ladybugs.
A good strategy is to purchase a larger bag and release 1/3 to 1/2 of the bag and then store the rest in the fridge. That way you can incrementally release the ladybugs throughout the span of a few weeks and keep re-introducing predators to combat your pest population. You may also avoid the hassle and cost of a second shipment.