Ladybugs
- Thread starter can.i.buz
- Start date
Just found a few spider mites on my ladies the other day so I sprayed some neem and got 1500 llady bugs today for $10 (only amount they sold). I used only 50 in my 4x2x8 so I was wondering if anyone knew how long I can store them for? I know they go in the fridge but can I freeze them?
They difently love the spider mites. Right when I put the lady bugs in they started munchin and humpin each other haha. Im gonna take some pics and post them in my thread.
Couple tips for using lady bugs:
Make sure you lights are sealed or seal them completely (I used aluminum screen and wire to seal my open metal halides).
Before setting them free spray them down sugary soda to "glue" their wings preventing them from flying around. This is not animal abuse. This is also not cecessary just helps keep them on the plants.
Make sure that the lights in area OUTSIDE your grow area are off when entering to prevent the lady bugs from flying out since they are attracted to light.
They difently love the spider mites. Right when I put the lady bugs in they started munchin and humpin each other haha. Im gonna take some pics and post them in my thread.
Couple tips for using lady bugs:
Make sure you lights are sealed or seal them completely (I used aluminum screen and wire to seal my open metal halides).
Before setting them free spray them down sugary soda to "glue" their wings preventing them from flying around. This is not animal abuse. This is also not cecessary just helps keep them on the plants.
Make sure that the lights in area OUTSIDE your grow area are off when entering to prevent the lady bugs from flying out since they are attracted to light.
wheezer
Well-Known Member
When LB are released from dormancy, they are only interested in mating, not eating. That's why they flt into the light. They are trying to fly away into the sunlight to go and look for a mate, and get killed by the light. That's why the population always drops waaay down or disapears in a few days indoors.
Luger187
Well-Known Member
i read on a website that the ones bought at the stores usually havent come out of dormancy correctly. when they harvest them, theyre supposed to put them in a fridge and gradually 'take them out of winter'. most places dont do this, and just throw them in the jugs or whatever. then when they get to the store, they throw them in the fridge. this throws off their cycles somehow and stops them from producing eggs. they will still mate though.
so basically once they fly off, theyre gone. ive also heard that they like to hang out where they were born. they consider it a 'home base'. theyll fly around to other places, but come back at night. if u get ladybugs that lay eggs, the babies will most likely hang out more than the original adults did.
so basically once they fly off, theyre gone. ive also heard that they like to hang out where they were born. they consider it a 'home base'. theyll fly around to other places, but come back at night. if u get ladybugs that lay eggs, the babies will most likely hang out more than the original adults did.
dirtyho1968
Well-Known Member
Amen. I used to use A-1 Unique and get gallon bags and release them into 2 garage size rooms. They'd help some what but lots of dead ones in a week. When they hatch, they look nothing like lady bugs but that's when they tear shit up, as far as aphids go. Not so sure about red spider mites? Didn't have that prob back then.
dirtyho1968
Well-Known Member
Plus indoor they get fried or get sucked into vents/ac. Even if you screen them, they get stuck to screen, and end up dying. Shop vac time after a week...
Jack Harer
Well-Known Member
Karma's a bitch!! I'll help out if you wanna do a good deed and send me a jar or 2!! Only for Karmas sake, of course!! LOL
We get them "bad" at my parents house, especially in the window ledges in the vaulted ceiling. They'll call me when the see 'em, and I'm over there with an extention Ladder collecting them in jars. dad thinks I'm nuts. If he only knew.....