Lady Bugs for spider mites "fly away home"

Two weeks ago we bought 1500 lady bugs. They were released in a 8x10 greenhouse and in an enclosed indoor space. Things looked great for a while- no spider mites around, lady bugs happily roaming over the plants.

Lately I haven't been able to spot any lady bugs, and the damn spider mites are back.

Where did my lady bugs go? Did they all die (I don't see any dead ones around)? Did they just take off?

Should I buy some more, or is this not a great idea to begin with? I have never been able to totally get rid of the mites. For years I have tried everything- cleaning the areas with bleach and keeping things clean, Safers soap, bombs, Dr. Doom, no-pest strips, etc....

Unless this is a greenhouse full of venus flytraps, then that's very strange. You haven't seen any walking around the base of the plants on the soil/medium either?

I found your post because I searched for ladybugs. I need to pick up a herd or two to release onto my plants.

lady bugs even in a closed space find a way to get out, best bet is realease a couple hundred every week, they can stay in your fridge for almost 2 months. they will not get rid of mites only keep the population in check, just about enough to keep them from making large webs on the cola tops. as for keeping lady bugs, just make sure you mist the net baggy they come in atleast once a week they need the drink too

morrisgreenberg said:

lady bugs even in a closed space find a way to get out, best bet is realease a couple hundred every week, they can stay in your fridge for almost 2 months. they will not get rid of mites only keep the population in check, just about enough to keep them from making large webs on the cola tops. as for keeping lady bugs, just make sure you mist the net baggy they come in atleast once a week they need the drink too

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lady bugs, when food is scarce or gone, will eat eachother, or leave.

also, NEVER release them during the light, release during the darkness.

i'd get another batch. or plan on getting a sucessive FRESH batch RIGHT-after the first one, to ensure when they "come back" the lady's are waiting.

Lady bugs also don't prefer spider mites.
While they do eat them they like aphids much better.
For better spider mite control there is the mite predators,
mesoseiulus longpipes
Phytoseiulus persimilis
and Neosenlus californicus
are all recommended mite predators
The longpipes and persimulis can cope with temps from 55-105 and RH of 45-90%

And were could I find these maybe a hydroplontic shop??

cymbaline said:

Lady bugs also don't prefer spider mites.
While they do eat them they like aphids much better.
For better spider mite control there is the mite predators,
mesoseiulus longpipes
Phytoseiulus persimilis
and Neosenlus californicus
are all recommended mite predators
The longpipes and persimulis can cope with temps from 55-105 and RH of 45-90%

Click to expand...

https://www.rollitup.org/bugs/349946-beneficial-insects-destructive-insects-mites.html

12tree said:

Unless this is a greenhouse full of venus flytraps, then that's very strange. You haven't seen any walking around the base of the plants on the soil/medium either?

I found your post because I searched for ladybugs. I need to pick up a herd or two to release onto my plants.

Click to expand...

Speaking of flytraps i had one in my box and forgot about it when i went and got some ladybugs. Next day i found my trap and every trap had a ladybug in it, doh. FYI ladybugs dont make for good flytrap food. Will cause food rot and traps will rot and fall off.

farmboss said:

lady bugs, when food is scarce or gone, will eat eachother, or leave.

also, NEVER release them during the light, release during the darkness.

i'd get another batch. or plan on getting a sucessive FRESH batch RIGHT-after the first one, to ensure when they "come back" the lady's are waiting.

Click to expand...

Was told at hydro store to use suger water on their wings and this will temporary keep them from flying till it unglues. Not sure if you just dip em all en mass or something

corners said:

Was told at hydro store to use suger water on their wings and this will temporary keep them from flying till it unglues. Not sure if you just dip em all en mass or something

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you spray the sugar water on them...
Also if you leave a small bowl of sugar water out they will eat from that if food sources
are scarce for them.

dirtsurfr: try your local hydroshops some might carry them or be able to order them for you. Most nurseries will probably look at you funny..
I asked a nursery for shits and giggles one time and the guy said no
we don't sell those and anyway you will just have those as a problem than..
I was speechless for a minute, stifled a laugh in their face and said "um ok"
I would just order them online and have it shipped to my door. Be prepared to pay
as much in shipping as you do for the predators.. Overnight shipping isn't cheap..