Ladybirds act as natural pest controllers and can help protect your plants from aphids. An expert shares how leaving a common item outside can attract these beneficial insects to your gardenThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
You can encourage ladybirds to keep visiting (stock image)(Image: Gary Mayes via Getty Images)
As spring temperatures begin to rise, ladybirds are set to make more of an appearance in our gardens — and there’s a straightforward method to encourage them to visit yours. These gorgeous little insects become far more prevalent from spring onwards, thanks to the milder conditions.
Emerging from hibernation between March and April as the mercury climbs, ladybirds are increasingly likely to be spotted from now on. If you’re keen to have them around, it turns out that leaving one simple item in your garden can make all the difference — and if you’re a gardening enthusiast, you’ve probably already got some to hand.
There are real benefits to welcoming certain insects into your outdoor space too. People have previously been advised on how to effortlessly draw bugs into their gardens.
Senior Horticultural Content Manager at Fothergill’s, Pim Dickson, has recently shared some handy tips on how to attract ladybirds to your garden. As it happens, it’s far easier than you might expect.
If you’re a dedicated gardener, you’ll likely have a good supply of plant cuttings — and it’s well worth holding on to them.
Pim explained: “When it comes to pruning, think twice before binning all those plant cuttings. The hollow stems of plants are like five-star hotels for solitary bees and ladybirds looking for somewhere to shelter.
“For something more creative, try making a basic bug hotel using pinecones, straw and hollow stems. These structures provide safe winter accommodation for beneficial insects that help keep garden pests under control.
“Creating a wildlife-friendly garden isn’t about doing more work; it’s about doing less. This simply means leave some areas a bit messy, grow plants that naturally feed and shelter creatures and avoid harsh chemicals.
“Your local wildlife will thank you, and you’ll enjoy a garden that’s buzzing with life all year round.”
What you might not realise is just how beneficial ladybirds can be in the garden. There are several compelling reasons for this.
Why should you attract them?
Having ladybirds in your garden can prove incredibly useful. They serve as natural pest controllers, with both adults and larvae hungrily devouring harmful pests such as aphids (greenfly/blackfly), scale insects and mites.
They help safeguard plant health without requiring any chemical intervention. A single ladybird can devour hundreds of aphids throughout its lifetime — a fact that might surprise you.
These insects favour peaceful, untidy spots, long grass and “bug hotels” for shelter and hibernation, which is why leaving cuttings outside proves so valuable.
It’s crucial to remember that they’re vulnerable to chemicals, which can harm them and eliminate their food supply. If you’re keen to attract them, steer clear of these products.
By adhering to these guidelines, they should become more frequent visitors. They’re also drawn to pollen-rich plants such as calendula, marigolds, dill, fennel and cosmos.
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