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I'm just about to ring and order some larvae to control the greenfly which are wrecking my baskets! I've checked out as much info as I can, but still not sure...

Which is better for our small, enclosed garden where we mainly have everything in pots and beds - lacewing or ladybird larvae? Does it matter?

Thanks!

dunno which is best, but i'd go for ladybirds, those lacewings are weird and freak me out when they get in the house ....... *shudders*

don't really think it matters much, as long as they have plenty of food

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Hi Rhona, I think I'd go for the ladybird larvae although I there probably isn't much difference.I think they eat a larger quantity of aphids & I would imagine there is more chance of the ladybirds staying in your garden when they become adults but I could be wrong about that. Whichever one you choose I would try & put up some kind of shelter for them to overwinter in, you can buy ladybird & lacewing 'houses' or make your own by pushing reeds, grasses or hollow canes into a box framework.You could also try growing a patch of nettles or angelica & dill which ladybirds like & plenty of simple pollen rich flowers such as calendula which will attract lacewings & hoverflies too.

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Into every life a little rain must fall.

Many thanks both! I've ordered ladybird larvae. We do already have a lacewing box so maybe some of the ladybirds will finally make use of it! x

Well, it's a gorgeous warm sunny morning, and the larvae are settling into their new home... Finger's crossed!

How are your ladybirds doing?

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...well, I can report back that the ladybirds have done an awesome job; baskets back to full glory; would totally recommend getting those little fellas in to do the job! Beats sprays hands down.

If you plant some English Marigold (calendula) you'll attract loads of hoverflies, and their babies eat even more aphids than ladybirds do.

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Darn it there are English ones as well as French and African?

I read elsewhere that I need the Single flowering type.

Is this a different cure to companion planting for Whitefly control on Toms in the GHouse?

Thanks

EDIT: Scratch that, now seen your reply to the other thread: Combination Planting??

Thanks.

Thanks for the update Rhona, I might try ordering some myself next year, got a ladybird house & lots of ladybird-friendly plants but hardly any ladybirds this year.

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Into every life a little rain must fall.

I bought ladybird larvae this year for the first time and have to say they have done a fantastic job. The plants that I put them on are virtually clear of aphids, and yet the stems were covered a few weeks ago. They have grown up, and laid eggs now so the cycle will hopefully start again. Ive bought a little house too so that I can over winter them.

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