Fun facts about insects

Ladybugs are a must-have for organic gardening or farming. They feed on a variety of
slow-moving insects including aphids, moth eggs, mites, mealybugs and other slow-moving insects.

Hungry for more weird facts?

Beneficial Garden Insects

Ladybugs

Ladybugs are most commonly known to people as a cute insects, some think they are good luck. Most would not know them as a predator insect, however they are just that. Ladybugs are harmless to humans and a good defender for your home garden or even larger scale organic farms. They are capable of consuming up to 50 to 60 aphids per day but will also eat a variety of other insects and larvae including scales, mealy bugs, leaf hoppers, mites, and various types of soft-bodied insects. They will feed on other pests, but are best known to eliminate the aphid population, and are one of the most active predators, searching from dawn to dusk for food.

Attract Ladybugs to your garden by planting some of the following plants:

Tanacetum vulgare (Tansy)

This flowering plant is often used in gardens as a decorative plant. I has a scent similar to camphor and rosemary. Attracting beneficial insects like Ladybugs and Lacewings. The leaves are said to be poisonous if consumed in large quantities but Tansy was been used in the past to add flavor to foods and beverages and also as a medicinal herb. It blooms in early summer and thrives in the sunniest, hottest spot you can find.

More Beneficial Garden Insects

Anethum gravelolens (Dill) Anethum graveolens (Dill)

Dill will not only attract beneficial insects such as Ichneumon Wasps, Ladybugs and Lacewings to your garden but it is also a commonly used herb for cooking. A sprig of dill will perk up almost any soup, salad, or entree.

You can purchase dill at any garden center, transplants are available but there is no need, it is easy to grow from seeds. You won't even have to start them indoors - just plant your seeds right in the garden where you want them to grow.

When to Plant

Plant dill in cool weather. In warm winter areas that don't experience a hard frost, you can plant dill in fall or winter. In colder climates, plant dill a few weeks before your last hard frost. After the first sowing, plant again every week and half for a continuous crop.