Do you like ladybugs? Maybe it's winter and you find a ladybug in the cold, with nothing to eat and the water is all frozen. Do you want to help her? In this case, you might consider keeping a ladybug as a pet! Ladybugs love to eat aphids! Aphids are garden plant pests and can be found on the leaves.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Locate the Ladybug
Step 1. Find a ladybug
Look for an area where they usually take refuge. A good try could be under the leaves of aphid-infested plants (try roses and other flowers or flowering fruit trees). They also love to hide in cracks or window frames.
Ladybugs are very fond of aphids, their main food
Step 2. Get the ladybug
Look for a ladybug and catch it with a net or hand, but be careful not to let it fly away. Gently cover it with your other hand and be very careful not to crush it. Gently place the ladybug in her new home - she is now ready to be cared for.
Part 2 of 3: Building a Ladybug House
Step 1. Use a plastic container of sufficient size for the ladybug's needs
The container must give you the space you need to fly and make yourself comfortable to rest and sleep. Add a few twigs, leaves, and petals to make the setting interesting. All flowers and leaves should be replaced every day to prevent mold. Provide the ladybug with a place to hide and retreat, such as a hollow twig or small toy with holes in it.
- You can also use an insect habitat.
- Glass containers are not recommended, as they tend to overheat too much and the ladybug could die, especially if the container is exposed to direct sunlight.
Step 2. If you are going to keep it for more than 24 hours, use a large shell
He won't be able to get out, but he'll appreciate it. Put in some leaves daily. It is necessary to feed her every day.
Part 3 of 3: Caring for the Ladybug
Step 1. Get some food
Feed her small amounts of sugar or honey. He uses a bottle cap or something similar to put his food in.
- You can also give her raisins or lettuce.
- Add a piece of tree bark. Often the bark of trees tends to have larvae. The ladybug will spend most of her time there.
Step 2. Use the cap of a plastic bottle as a container for water
Put a little water, so that the ladybug does not risk drowning.
Step 3. Feed her twice a day
Don't give her too much food, just a little bit.
Step 4. Hold the ladybug very gently
That's how:
- Put your finger next to the ladybug. The finger must touch the ground on which it is located.
- Wait for him to get on or fly over it.
- Now you have the ladybug in your hand: be careful!
Step 5. Consider letting it go after 24 hours
You got to observe his habits; now let her go back to her job, which is to catch pests in your garden.
Advice
- The house must have some holes or crevices, so that the ladybug can breathe.
- In the territory of a ladybug, the insects that have the appearance of small black bugs are the young of the ladybug.
- The best time to go looking for ladybugs is between May and October in the Northern Hemisphere and between September and April in the Southern Hemisphere. However, if the days stay warm, the period can be extended.
- If you don't have sugar, try crushing a candy to cut it into small pieces.
Warnings
- Don't try to catch the ladybug in your fingers! Doing so would risk hurting her and could even crush her.
- Change the leaves very frequently. If you don't, mold can develop, which could kill the ladybug.
- Beware: any animal brought into the house from the outside can potentially carry disease. To minimize the risk, always wash your hands after touching the ladybug.
