How to introduce Ladybugs into my garden?

[troy1]

Hi,

I have aphids problem on my cucumber plant. I used the oil top and under the leaf. it didn't work. I would like to introduce ladybugs but how do u do it?

do u plant some flowers that ladybugs like? 

or use sprays? 

I have a balcony so it's not a yard.

aphids 

[MitchellMc]

Hi @troy1,

Ladybugs can be an effective way of stopping outbreaks of Aphids in your garden. However, I'm not sure that you could encourage enough of them to come to your garden to control an already established outbreak. You really need to get these under control and then think about encouraging Ladybugs in the future. Ladybugs need two things, insect pests to feed on and pollen. You have an abundance of Aphids for them to feed on, so planting some flowers would also assist. 

What was the oil that you applied? Eco oil is an effective way of ridding your plants of Aphids. I'd encourage you to do two applications and report back to us with the results.

Mitchell

[troy1]

I have been using eco neem oil. under the leaves and top of it. still have the problems

I researched and suggested to use soapy water for Aphids

[MitchellMc]

Hi @troy1,

Eco neem is also an effective product for ridding your plants of a range of sap-sucking insects, including aphids. Since you don't have a whole heap of plants, I would suggest wiping or spraying the plant's leaves with a mild solution of water and a few drops of dish soap. Once you have wiped the aphids and possibly mites from the leaves' underside, do another application of the neem oil.

Please let us know if that is successful.

Mitchell

[VegaNano]

I noticed Ladybugs after adding ALOT of flowers to garden🐞🐞🐞with not much spaces,Salvias might help

 a simple mix of chopped garlic in water & fresh cook oil sprayed on may help,& if your dirt is old plants wld benefit by add more new bags & SEARLES is a quality buy..