Beneficial insects like ladybugs and praying mantis are a great way to treat lawn and garden pests organically, without chemicals.  Using beneficial insects in the garden is also fun for families. Even small children can help release ladybugs, and it’s fun to observe ladybugs and praying mantis in the garden throughout the summer.

Ladybugs are perhaps the best-known beneficial insect and are a great alternative to spraying for pest control. Ladybugs can eat as many as 40-50 aphids per day, as well as mites, leafhoppers, mealy bugs and other soft-bodied pests.

Releasing ladybugs into the garden:

o    It’s best to release ladybugs in the early evening, when the temperature is a little cooler, their activity lessens, and they’re less likely to be seen by hungry birds;

o    If you aren’t releasing your ladybugs immediately, store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours;

o    Just before releasing the ladybugs, water your garden to provide immediate hydration to the ladybugs;

o    Don’t shake the bag to encourage them to come out. Instead, just place the open bag on the ground next to the infested plants and let them crawl out.

The praying mantis is also very effective at controlling garden pests. Praying mantis have voracious appetites and will eat almost any pest insect. The praying mantis is the only predator fast enough to catch mosquitoes and flies, and it will also eat aphids, mosquitoes, spiders, grasshoppers, beetles and more.

Praying mantis release and care:

o    Praying mantis are sold as egg cases, which should also be used immediately or refrigerated for up to a week.

o    Praying mantis egg cases hatch in the spring, and they prefer temperatures in the 70-80 degree range, so Mid-May is the ideal time to place them outdoors.

o    The baby mantis (nymphs) look like large mosquitoes and easily blend in with the plants in the garden, so they may be hard to see. They will quickly disperse and begin looking for food.

o    Remember, praying mantis have very large appetites. If there’s not enough food, they will eat a sibling when they’re young or just move on to find adequate nourishment when they’re older.