{"product_id":"lady-bugs-in-calgary","title":"Ladybugs July 2026","description":"\u003c!-- Table of Contents --\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border: 2px solid #c62828; border-radius: 8px; padding: 15px; background: #fff3f3; margin-bottom: 25px;\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center; color: #c62828; margin-top: 0;\"\u003e🐞 Quick Navigation 🐞\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"list-style: none; padding-left: 0; text-align: center; line-height: 1.8;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca style=\"color: #c62828; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;\" href=\"#release\"\u003eQuick Release Guide\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca style=\"color: #c62828; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;\" href=\"#features\"\u003eFeatures\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca style=\"color: #c62828; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;\" href=\"#names\"\u003eLady Bug, Lady Bird, Lady Beetle?\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca style=\"color: #c62828; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;\" href=\"#asian\"\u003eAre these Asian Lady Beetles?\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca style=\"color: #c62828; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;\" href=\"#size\"\u003eI'm used to seeing bigger ladybugs!\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca style=\"color: #c62828; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;\" href=\"#baby\"\u003eMeet the Babies!\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca style=\"color: #c62828; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;\" href=\"#dead\"\u003eAbout Dead Ladybugs\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca style=\"color: #c62828; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;\" href=\"#flying\"\u003eAbout sugar water \"wing gluing\"...\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProtect your flower gardens, roses, and trees from Aphids with live Lady Bugs. When released into your garden - preferably at night over a 2 week period - the adult Ladybugs feed and reproduce by laying eggs. Once these eggs hatch, the hungry little ladies keep your pests at bay!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1050\/9004\/files\/ladybug.png?v=1695146374\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"release\"\u003eQuick Release Guide\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1. Store Properly\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e Keep ladybugs in the fridge (not the freezer) until you’re ready to release. Use within 1–2 weeks for best results.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2. Prepare the Area \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWater plants thoroughly WITHOUT FERTILIZER first. Ladybugs need a drink after travel. Mist the undersides of leaves for extra hydration spots. You can also give them moistened hydroton, rockwool or sponges.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e3. Release at the Right Time \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRelease in the evening or early morning when it’s cool. Avoid hot sun and wind — they’ll fly away quickly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e4. How to Release \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGently shake or tap a few ladybugs directly onto plants with visible aphids, and then release the rest at the bottom of the plant. Spread releases over several nights for better establishment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e5. Keep Them Around \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProvide moisture: a damp stone, hydroton, moss, or rockwool works well. Plant flowers like dill, alyssum, or fennel to keep ladybugs happy. Avoid insecticidal sprays.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"features\"\u003eFeatures\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEnvironmentally safe pest control\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLadybugs feed on Aphids, Mites, Scale, Thrips, Whiteflies and larva and eggs of other pests\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEggs are laid amongst Aphid colonies and when hatched eat up to 300 pests per day over a 28 day period\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMust be kept refrigerated until released\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExcellent beneficial insect\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHippodamia convergens\u003c\/strong\u003e: North American Native ladybug, does not bite nor go into homes unless you bring it into your home.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOnly eat aphids and other soft-bodied pest insects and insect eggs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdults: orange and black beetles that feed on aphids, mites, scales, thrips, whiteflies and beneficial insect food.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdult ladybeetles feed primarily at night and lay eggs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLabubu eggs are white or yellow ovals, laid in clusters on the undersides of leaves\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLarvae: black and orange alligator shaped, wingless, remain on your plants keeping pests under control\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBoth adult and larval stages: great general pest controllers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUpon receipt place them in the crisper of the fridge to cool them down and release them in the evening\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBe sure to water the area before releasing the ladybugs — traveling is thirsty work\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA small dish of water, moist rock, or damp rockwool helps keep ladybugs and other native insects close to plants\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdult ladybugs will eat 10–25 pests per day and live 3–12 weeks depending on environment\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEggs: once hatched, larvae will eat ~50 pests per day\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLook super cute and will bring a smile to your face every day!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"names\"\u003eLady Bug, Lady Bird, Lady Beetle?\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen it comes to the tiny, colourful insects commonly found in gardens and fields, the terms \"lady bug,\" \"lady beetle,\" and \"lady bird\" often arise. These phrases, though sometimes used interchangeably, have distinct nuances and origins.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLady Bug \/ Ladybug\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn North America, \"lady bug\" is the most common term. Despite the \"bug\" in its name, ladybugs are beetles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLady Beetle \/ Ladybeetle\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLady beetle\" is a term preferred by entomologists and scientists. It is more accurate because it highlights the insect's classification within the beetle order (Coleoptera). This term is gaining traction in academic and scientific communities due to its precision.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLady Bird \/ Ladybird\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the UK, \"lady bird\" is common, tied to folklore and culture. Less used in scientific literature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"asian\"\u003eAre these Asian Lady Beetles?\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. These are not only North American Lady Beetles; they are Convergent Lady Bugs: \u003cstrong\u003eTHE North American Lady Bug. \u003c\/strong\u003eThe Convergent Lady Beetle is native to North America and is easily recognizable by the two converging white lines on the pronotum (the area behind the head). While they might look a bit different from what you're used to, rest assured that they are not the Asian Lady Beetles, which are often considered pests. (Although this reputation isn't quite fair. Asian Lady Beetles are also quite effective aphid predators!)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConvergent Lady Bugs are beneficial for your garden as they feed on aphids and other soft-bodied pests, making them a natural and effective form of pest control. If you have any further concerns or questions about identifying lady beetles in your garden, feel free to ask!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" height=\"395\" width=\"574\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1050\/9004\/files\/ladybugs.png?v=1722467093\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"size\"\u003eI'm used to seeing bigger ladybugs!\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeople in Western Canada are accustomed to seeing two-spot and seven-spot lady beetles because these species are common in the region and are out-competing the native Convergent Ladybug. The two-spot ladybug (Adalia bipunctata) and the seven-spot ladybug (Coccinella septempunctata) are both well-known and easily identifiable by their distinct markings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1050\/9004\/files\/two-spot.jpg?v=1722467171\" width=\"265\" height=\"213\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1050\/9004\/files\/seven-spotted-1024x769.jpg?v=1722467210\" width=\"286\" height=\"215\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"baby\"\u003eLadybug Larvae and Pupae!\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"663\" data-start=\"246\"\u003eWhen you release live ladybugs in your garden, you may soon spot ladybug larvae, the baby stage of these beneficial insects. Unlike the round red adults, baby ladybugs look very different: they are black, spiky, and shaped like tiny alligators with orange or yellow markings. Many gardeners mistake them for pests, but these ladybug nymphs are actually the most powerful natural predators you can have.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"793\" data-start=\"700\"\u003eEach larva eats \u003cstrong data-end=\"743\" data-start=\"716\"\u003eup to 50 aphids per day\u003c\/strong\u003e, making them even hungrier than adult ladybugs. They also attack \u003cstrong data-end=\"865\" data-start=\"813\"\u003ewhiteflies, thrips, scale insects, and mite eggs\u003c\/strong\u003e, keeping your plants safe. This stage lasts about 2–3 weeks before they pupate and transform into adult ladybugs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1203\" data-start=\"1125\"\u003eAfter spending 2–3 weeks as hungry larvae, \u003cstrong data-end=\"270\" data-start=\"253\"\u003eladybug pupae\u003c\/strong\u003e represent the next step in the \u003cstrong data-end=\"324\" data-start=\"302\"\u003eladybug life cycle\u003c\/strong\u003e. At this stage, the insect attaches itself to a leaf or stem and forms an immobile, orange-brown shell. Many gardeners mistake this for a dead insect or even a harmful pest cocoon, but in reality, it’s the critical \u003cstrong data-end=\"563\" data-start=\"540\"\u003emetamorphosis phase\u003c\/strong\u003e where the larva transforms into an adult ladybug.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1203\" data-start=\"1125\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" height=\"437\" width=\"558\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1050\/9004\/files\/Coccinella_septempunctata_-_lifecycle_A_-_08_-_pupa_and_larva.jpg?v=1756227838\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1203\" data-start=\"1125\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1050\/9004\/files\/ChatGPT_Image_Aug_26_2025_11_13_47_AM.png?v=1756228444\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1203\" data-start=\"1125\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1050\/9004\/files\/lady_beeetle_new_larvae.jpg?v=1722464222\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"dead\"\u003eAbout Dead Ladybugs\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is normal for each bag of ladybugs to contain some deceased individuals. Ladybugs sold for garden use are adult beetles harvested from natural hibernation sites. Like any wild population, they include individuals of different ages — some are young and vigorous, while others are older and nearing the end of their natural lifespan. Older beetles may not reawaken strongly after hibernation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are also natural transport losses. Ladybugs are collected and packaged while dormant (in diapause), which makes shipping possible, but not every individual survives handling and transit. Suppliers account for this by adding extras to every bag, ensuring the live count is always more than sufficient.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou can help reduce mortality at release by making sure your ladybugs have immediate access to water and are introduced under the right conditions:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHydration\u003c\/strong\u003e: Gently mist the base of your plants and undersides of leaves before release so beetles can drink immediately. You can also moisten a small stone or piece of rockwool as a safe water source. Feel free to add a very small amount of sugar to the water for energy. Avoid open dishes where ladybugs can drown.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTiming\u003c\/strong\u003e: Release in the evening or early morning, when it’s cooler and the sun is less intense. This encourages the ladybugs to settle, rehydrate, and begin foraging instead of flying off.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFood\u003c\/strong\u003e: It should go without saying, but ladybugs are SUPER HUNGRY. If you are using them as a preventative indoors, please ensure that you have plants with pollen for them to eat, or they will die very quickly. In a pinch, they will also snack on other beneficial insects such as cucumeris.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"flying\"\u003eAbout Sugar Water \"Wing Gluing\"\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSome sources recommend spraying ladybugs with sugar water or pop to make their wings stick so they cannot fly away. We \u003cstrong\u003estrongly recommend against this practice\u003c\/strong\u003e for several reasons:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIt is \u003cstrong\u003eineffective\u003c\/strong\u003e: as soon as it rains, the ladybugs can fly again.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIt is \u003cstrong\u003ecruel\u003c\/strong\u003e: sugar water can cause their legs and bodies to stick together.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIt can \u003cstrong\u003ekill them\u003c\/strong\u003e: immobilized ladybugs are less able to feed, defend themselves, or recover from transport stress. Some pops such as Coke contain caffeine, which is deadly to ladybugs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe best way to keep ladybugs in your garden is to release them under the right conditions, cool temperatures, plenty of moisture, and direct access to pests, not by attempting to glue their wings shut.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA very weak sugar solution can serve as a temporary \u003cb\u003efood\u003c\/b\u003e source to encourage ladybugs to linger in a garden, and other methods like planting flowers that attract them are even better.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"IncrediGrow","offers":[{"title":"1 OZ","offer_id":12441059688509,"sku":"LAD184-8763","price":20.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"5 OZ","offer_id":42671516713201,"sku":"LAD184-8766","price":83.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1050\/9004\/files\/convergent.jpg?v=1689198494","url":"https:\/\/www.incredigrow.ca\/products\/lady-bugs-in-calgary","provider":"IncrediGrow Garden Centre","version":"1.0","type":"link"}