How do you effectively use Ladybugs?

J

jonnynobody

Well-Known Member
I bought 1500 ladybugs for my 3'x3'x6' grow tent to control some spider mites through harvest and it seems like I don't quite understand how to properly use these little guys yet. When introduced them to the tent a few days ago, I just opened the container and set it at the base of one of the pots and let them freely escape.

The problem is that they seem to be collecting in large groups and almost appear to be hibernating with very little activity. What am I doing wrong here?

Is there a trick to enticing these little guys to roam the plant? A light mist of water?
 
grownbykane

grownbykane

Active Member
a light mist of water should help, they get dehydrated sitting inthe container. lady bugs can be useful as a preventative measure but if you already have mites they wont make a real impact.
 
ProfessorPotSnob

ProfessorPotSnob

New Member
Do spray the lady bugs with sugar water or sprite to stop flight , often they migrate into the hoods and fans . It could just be as well that you have old bugs that are just dieing off .
 
Bigtacofarmer

Bigtacofarmer

Well-Known Member
It has a lot to do with temps and humidity too. I researched the fuck out of them. If they like your room they will stay and reproduce, extremely rare. They don't like most grow rooms but sometime you will read of a grow where they work. No real obvious reason the like some gardens better than others. I'm guess maybe it has to due with the enviroment they were breed in to begin with. I seems hit and miss, mostly miss. They like nectar, from aphids or just stuff the comes with some ladybugs. You can also get an aphid breeding setup.... Sound pretty dumb but I guess if you introduce another pest (dumb) it will feed the ladybugs.

When we let 7000 go it took about a month and I'd say they were pretty well all dead. Probably 5000 just to fans.
 
Ninjabowler

Ninjabowler

Well-Known Member
Well lets talk ladybugs. USE THEM. STOP PAYING THROUGH THE NOSE FOR MIGHTY WASH. yo, sorry MW but a bag of 1500 bugs per 8x8 is good for about two or more weeks. If and when they start humping your good for longer. Just keep adding them every five or so days like 100- 300 at a time and watch them destroy every last scrap of enemy matter on your leaves. Already saved 80 bucks in MW and SNS in the time I used 6 bucks worth of bugs.......NINJA approved. Bump this thread if you agree ha ha haahahahahaaa :):):)
 
Impman

Impman

Well-Known Member
jonnynobody said:
I bought 1500 ladybugs for my 3'x3'x6' grow tent to control some spider mites through harvest and it seems like I don't quite understand how to properly use these little guys yet. When introduced them to the tent a few days ago, I just opened the container and set it at the base of one of the pots and let them freely escape.

The problem is that they seem to be collecting in large groups and almost appear to be hibernating with very little activity. What am I doing wrong here?

Is there a trick to enticing these little guys to roam the plant? A light mist of water?
Click to expand...
A little sugar water or diluted soda will keep them around for longer. It will make their wings sticky. Lady Bugs don't like grow rooms but you have the right idea getting 1500 of them. I bought some Predator Mites that look like small black lady bugs, good for indoor gardens. They are spider mite eating machines but they don't stick around long either .Spider Mite Destroyers Stethorus punctipes.
 
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