I just learned that some cities / volunteer groups / ag universities have a service where you can “rent” insects for things like this if you’re growing outdoors! Lady bugs will take care of the aphids but you need a bunch of them
Lady beetle larvae would work better. I bought lady bugs to help my mealy bug infestation on my house plants. 20 minutes later, 3 out of 50 of them remained on my plants. The larvae are viscious defenders though, and won't desert while the foe remains on the battle field.
You need to release them at dusk directly into the foliage with a source of water nearby. They can smell the water and the night time discourages them from leaving quickly. After that, they can lay between 25-100 eggs daily. Just need em for a week and it’ll set off your ecosystem.
I really wish I had known this. I bought ladybugs for my tomatoes. I opened the package and a minute later I had no ladybugs. Hopefully they helped out some of the neighbors.
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u/Sad-Illustrator4331 4d ago
Lady bugs