DON’T Buy Ladybugs; PLANT THESE to Attract Native Ladybugs

13 May 2025 · 8 min
8:27

YouTube video by Nicole Johnsey Burke arguing that buying ladybugs is ineffective and unnecessary. She explains that commercially sold ladybugs are collected during winter from other regions, transported, and typically leave within ~24 hours. Instead she recommends creating habitat to attract and retain native ladybugs by providing (1) food plants (umbellifers and nectar/pollen-rich flowers), (2) breeding sites and leaving some pests so larvae have food, and (3) overwintering shelter (leave stems and seedheads). She lists specific plants (dill, flowering cilantro/coriander, parsley, 'Finca'—likely fennel or related; alyssum; cosmos and other pollen producers), cites lifecycle stages (egg → larva → pupa → adult) and gives numerical claims about predation (ca. 50 aphids/day; up to 5,000 aphids/season). She warns against insecticides (including neem oil) and synthetic fertilizers which can deter ladybugs, and promises an extra troubleshooting tip at point 5.

Questions this video answers

May 13, 2025

Within ~24 hours

About 50 aphids per day

Up to 5,000 aphids in one season

Egg → Larva → Pupa → Adult

Chapters

More from Nicole

0:11
youtube.com

Propagation is the secret to turn 1 oregano plant into 100 that’ll last forever! #garden #herbs

1d ago
1:04
youtube.com

Plant some garlic this fall and you’ll never run out. Just follow these steps #garlic #gardening

2d ago
1:00
youtube.com

Head to Gardenary.com to try out my FREE custom planting plan creator #garden #gardendesign #plants

3d ago
0:27
youtube.com

Frost is coming so harvest all your tomatoes and make this soup🍅#garden #recipe #tomatosoup #tomato

4d ago
0:18
youtube.com

Say bye to grocery store herbs this winter if you harvest and dry some of your own👀#garden #herbs

5d ago
1:01
youtube.com

Can you grow your own Ube?! Let’s see if I grew anything besides purple vines🍠#garden #ube #plants

5d ago
0:31
youtube.com

If your garden didn’t turn out how you wanted, it’s time for a fresh start😌#garden #fallgarden

5d ago
0:07
youtube.com

Turns out you don’t have to sit at a desk all day…you can stay in the garden☀️#garden #meme #9to5

6d ago
0:50
youtube.com

Do NOT buy soil with artificial fertilizers if you want a natural, organic garden😬#garden #soil

6d ago
14:08
youtube.com

5 EASY Steps to Plant A Fall Garden (The BEST Time To Grow🤫)

1w ago
0:11
youtube.com

I wasn’t meant to send emails or work 9 to 5, I’m meant to stay in the garden all day🌿#garden #meme

1w ago
See all content