Do you love watching ladybugs when they land on your hands in spring? They are not only very cute insects, but they are also useful because they help eliminate parasites such as whiteflies, scale insects and mites … a real boon for your garden! Try making a house with simple materials that is cozy and comfortable for these precious little insects.
Steps
Step 1. Find a sturdy piece of cardboard in the form of a box or sheet
A shoe box or thick wrapping paper will do.
Step 2. Cut 5 cardboard pieces of 12.5x12.5cm
Step 3. Join the five pieces to form a box
One side must be free and will be the entrance.
Step 4. Decorate the little house for ladybugs
In case you don't know, ladybugs are attracted to the colors pink, blue and yellow. You could try this style:
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Paint or cover the box in blue.
- Paint or paste pink and yellow flowers.
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The box does not necessarily have to be painted on the inside, unless you want it to.
Build a Ladybug House Step 5 Step 5. Make sure the house is completely dry before moving on to the next steps
Build a Ladybug House Step 6 Step 6. Add a source of water
Ladybugs are very attracted to water; they spend their entire existence searching for it. Hence, it will be a great idea to make a small swimming pool inside their home or next to it. Just a piece of foil about 12 cm long and shallow, about half the size of the ladybug. If you have a small styrofoam tray available, even better!
Build a Ladybug House Step 7 Step 7. Prepare the water container
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Fill it with tap water.
- Add stones and leaves to the inside, but not too many so as not to weigh down the house.
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Also add a moistened paper towel, folded inwards.
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Throw some cheese crumbs inside.
Build a Ladybug House Step 8 Step 8. Place the new house on a sturdy branch of a tree
Set up the pool right next to it. Sprinkle some sweet and fruity scent inside, wait a couple of hours and you will see that it will populate with cute ladybugs!
Build a Ladybug House Intro Step 9. Finished
Advice
- If you want the house to last longer, use wood instead of cardboard.
- Ladybugs love nettles; put a few near the house.
- Don't forget the leaves.
- Only arrange the house in spring; it will not work during other times of the year.
- You can also opt for a multicolored texture of the walls.
- You can use various shapes of cut out paper to decorate the house.
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