Have you ever heard of the magical powers of ladybugs in your garden?
These tiny creatures are a natural way to control pests like aphids and other insects, and they're becoming more and more popular among gardeners.
Recently, a TikTok video by @cameggrowsplants went viral, showing her releasing free ladybugs that she got from her local garden center.
It's amazing to see how these little bugs can help keep your garden healthy and thriving! See the cute little critters in this video.
@meggrowsplants I lucked out today at the garden center and got some free ladybugs đ #gardening #gardenpestcontrol #ladybugs #gardenwithme #urbangarden #backyardgarden #gardeninspiration #gardenersoftiktok #fyp ⏠original sound - MegGrowsPlants
The video has garnered over 1.4 million views, 190.2k likes, and 614 comments.
In the video, she explains that she usually tries to attract ladybugs to her garden naturally, but couldn't resist the offer of free ladybugs.
She also shows how to release them properly, by making sure the plants have been watered around the area before releasing the ladybugs at the base of the plant with an aphid problem.
Lucky for her it rained that day so she didn't need to water down the plant.
Interesting Facts In The Comments Section
This video has pulled in a lot of interesting facts in the comments section. Viewers and fellow gardeners share a lot of helpful observations and tips.
@hollyhavana said, "I heard on the âyou bet your gardenâ podcast that watering down the plants before releasing the ladybugs is really important!"
Apparently, watering down the plant invites the ladybugs to settle in the area and hydrate, preventing them from flying away.
Aphid herders
And @luciferjamesmorningstar shares his rich knowledge about the subject "Hey! Ant nerd here, those aphids are being herded by a colony of ants which is why theyâre all on one plant.
This means a couple things; one at least the aphids wonât overpopulate the rest of your garden (ants keeping them in check).
The symbiotic relationship between aphids and ants is long term beneficial to the soil quality so even though that one plant of yours has aphids, donât despair! Those ants are doing a great job at keeping your soil rich in nutrients and aerated."
Pests or friends?
@alejandrovallejo73 said, "these are invasive Chinese lady beetles"
In which the uploader answered "Theyâre not. I address this in the video. Theyâre hippodamia convergens. A native species."
This made us curious so we did a bit of research on the subject, and indeed, they are garden-friendly.
Hippodamia convergens, commonly known as the convergent lady beetle, is a species of ladybug found throughout North America.
These ladybugs are an important natural enemy of aphids, scales, thrips, and other soft-bodied insects, making them a valuable addition to gardens and agricultural fields.
Another comment by @indigo.autumn said, "I've never seen dotless ladybugs before". The uploader answers that this is because the ladybugs are still young and they don't get their dots until they turn into adults.
Ladybugs: The Adorable and Powerful Allies Your Garden Needs!
Ladybugs are good for the garden because they act as natural pest control. They feed on aphids, which are a common pest that can damage plants and transmit viruses.
Ladybugs can consume hundreds of aphids a day and thousands in their lifetime, making them an effective and natural way to control aphid populations.
Additionally, ladybugs can also feed on other pests like mites, whiteflies, and mealybugs, making them a versatile and valuable addition to any garden.
So, if you're looking for a natural way to control pests in your garden, consider releasing ladybugs.
And if you're lucky, you might be able to get them for free from your local garden center just like @cameggrowsplants did!
Got an aphid problem in your garden? Read how to control here: