GOOD BUGS

LADYBIRDS
​Ladybugs, or lady beetles, are considered a beneficial bug which helps rid an area of crop-damaging aphids, mealybugs and other destructive insect pests. The adult ladybugs feed on these insects. They also lay their eggs among the aphids or other prey so the emerging larvae can feed on the insects, too.

MAKING A BUG HOUSE

1. Cut the end off a plastic drinks bottle or cut a plastic pipe to 20cm in length. Plastic plant pots can also be used.
2. Make newspaper tubes by cutting newspaper lengthways and rolling up. Ensure there is a hole in the centre of around 4mm. Rolled corrugated cardboard can also be used. 
3. Cut the material to the length of the pot or bottle. The bamboo needs to be cut so that the solid node is at the closed end or the whole length is hollow.
4. Fit the materials tightly into the drinks bottle or pot, so they won’t fall out.  Ensure the hollow ends are facing outwards, and will be protected from rain.
5. Hang almost horizontally in a warm spot with the open end slightly lower to prevent water logging. Bug homes are best placed no higher than 1m above the ground. 
6. The best season to make a bug home would be early autumn, so the insects have somewhere to hibernate for the winter.

Garden Organic sell nematodes that parasitise slugs and snails We will be trialling these