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How to Farm Ladybugs

Ladybugs are useful because they consume annoying garden pests, such as aphids. Farming ladybugs has potential as a small business or simply to keep your own garden well supplied with natural pest control. You don't need acres of land or sacks of grain to keep your miniature livestock happy. You just need a tank and a plentiful supply of even smaller bugs.

Things You'll Need

5- or 10-gallon fish tank
Old newspaper
Cardboard tubes
Small growing plant
Cotton balls
Insect guide
Paintbrush
Plastic tray
Scissors

Instructions

- 1
  Set up a tank for the ladybugs. Put a layer of old newspapers on the bottom. Add some cardboard tubes for shelter and a small plant that aphids feed on, such as lettuce. Finish with a few cotton balls soaked in water.
- 2
  Catch a number of ladybugs from your garden or order a "ladybug" kit online (see Resources). If you catch the ladybugs yourself, check your insect identification guide to ensure that they are carnivorous, aphid-eating ladybugs and not herbivorous pests.
- 3
  Collect aphids to feed to the ladybugs and their larvae. Brush aphids off garden plants onto a tray and transfer to the tank. Cut aphid-infested leaves and twigs off your plants and add them to the tank. Some aphids multiply in the tank, but not usually fast enough to feed your ladybugs.
- 4
  Release some of the ladybugs back into your garden once they have multiplied.

Insects & Science