We are the proud recipients of 1 gallon of ladybugs that I ordered from Northwest Beneficials in Bend Oregon on Tuesday. To my door they cost $135 and made the trip in one day via UPS, arriving yesterday mid-day. The box was quite warm so I put it in the fridge right away to cool them off and slow them down until we could release in the evening.
Last night around 7:30pm we scooped out handfuls of ladybugs and deposited them on, in, over, around, and under the plants. Only half a gallon are currently released as a staggered release can be more effective than one large release. The remaining ladybugs are being kept in their bag, in our refrigerator. Ladybugs can be kept in a dormant state in a temperature range of 34-40F/1-4C for weeks on end. If they will be kept longer than a couple of weeks they MAY need food and water to survive.
I will be taking more pictures and video of them over the coming days and weeks and will be bringing them to Steemit!
Freshly arrived at our door
Opening bag for first time.
They were shipped with straw and were quite active considering they came out of the fridge.
This morning as they began to warm up and move around
This morning they are all over the squash plants
They ladybugs spend nights under the leaves to protect from rain and predators
Fleming Family Farm
FLEMING FAMILY FARM, LLC
Sustainable & Organic Methods | Heirloom Produce
All images are original works of Fleming Family Farm unless otherwise notated and credited.
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