Ladybugs are perhaps one of the most common "bugs" portrayed when discussing insects. These spotted red and black beetles are portrayed through cartoons, on greeting cards, on garden flags, and even in children's toys. While they're fun, harmless insects to have around, they actually serve a big purpose, and are a complex species with some really cool features that often get overlooked thanks to their cute appearance.
So, what makes ladybugs so special, and why are they important here in Florida? Enjoy these fun facts and remember them the next time you see a friendly ladybug enjoying your garden beds or backyard plants:
- Ladybugs are actually killers! Yep. These little beauties can annihilate hordes of aphids and other destructive garden pests in a short span of time. Not only do ladybugs blaze through your garden feeding on aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites, but they will also grab eggs of pests like potato beetles or corn borers as a snack. They lay their eggs among the aphids and other pests as well, so as their larvae hatch and begin to feed, they are further ridding your plants of harmful insect activity.
- Ladybugs are called "ladybirds" in European countries. Though different names, they are both referring to the popular red/orange beetle with black spots.
- On average, ladybugs measure about 3/8 of an inch, but despite their small size, they have a huge appetite. They can eat over 1,000 aphids in their lifetime!
- You can purchase ladybugs in large batches to release into your own personal garden or flower beds. If you have infestation issues on your plants and enough food to sustain them, they'll stick around.
Country Boy Pest Control is proud to partner with the ladybug in keeping your garden pest-free. By customizing a treatment plan for your property, we can help you get rid of the harmful insects and pest infestations, without damaging the beneficial pollinators and helpers like ladybugs, bees, butterflies, and more. We are happy to answer any questions about pest treatments for your residential or commercial property, and we offer free quotes, so give us a call and find out why Country Boy Pest Control is one of the most trusted service providers in Central Florida.