DIY Ladybird House: Attract Ladybirds

Whether you call them ladybirds or ladybugs, they are such cute insects and should be encouraged

into the garden. That is why we are going to build a super quick and simple ladybird house

You could even call it a ladybird hotel. You should encourage them into the garden

because they are mainly carnivores and their diet consists mainly of aphids. Aphids are small

soft-bodied insects that suck sap from plants. Ladybirds also eat other small insects

such as scale insects, mealybugs, and whiteflies. A gardener's best friend. I have added a question

and answer section at the end of this tutorial to hopefully answer any questions you have

If you have more questions, please ask them in the comments below and I will try to answer them

but I am no expert. So let's get started. The first thing you need is a small log

The size really is up to you. The one in this tutorial is about 8 inches high and about 5

inches across. You could easily make one taller or narrower, but we used a log out of our wood

store that we thought would stand well in the garden. If you prefer to hang your ladybird house

you may want a taller but narrower bit of wood. Your first task is to cut a slope onto one end

of the log. This is to allow the water to run off rather than soak into the wood. If you prefer to

put two pieces of wood onto the top as a tall pitch, like a house, then you do not need a slope

But I'm all about keeping it quick and easy. Now simply drill a load of holes into the log so that

the ladybirds can go into them. You can vary the size of holes or just stick with whatever you have

got. In nature, they will use whatever dry spaces they find, so do not worry too much about size

Then cut a piece of wood large enough to cover the top of the log. Thickness is completely

unimportant. It is simply to help the water flow off the log and keep it dry so that the ladybirds

stay warm and dry. Nail or glue this onto the sloped end of your log. If you are using nails

you may need to drill pilot holes if your wood is likely to crack. Any glue must be suitable

for outdoors. You now have a completed ladybird house. We placed ours on an old broken roof tile

so that less water soaks up into the log. You could place it on another bit of wood, slab, etc

The key thing is that the ladybirds find it. You could even hang it up against your house or shed

Ladybirds are fascinating creatures that play an important role in the ecosystem

How do I attract ladybirds to a ladybird house? By providing them with food and shelter

you can help to attract and maintain a healthy population of ladybirds in your garden

More information in the questions and answers below. Ladybird houses provide ladybirds with a place to overwinter. You can attract ladybirds to your

ladybird house by placing it in a sunny spot in your garden. It is also a good idea to place

them near a source of food, so if you know you have aphids in your garden or you see a lot of

ladybirds consider placing it there. Just make sure it is sheltered from the worst of the weather

What do ladybirds eat? Ladybirds are carnivores, and their diet consists mainly of aphids

Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that suck sap from plants. Ladybirds also eat other small

insects, such as scale insects, mealybugs, and whiteflies. The ladybird cycle has four stages

egg, larva, pupa, and adult. What is the life cycle of a ladybird

Egg Ladybirds lay their eggs on leaves or near aphid colonies. The eggs are white and oval-shaped. Larva

The larva is the second stage of the ladybird's life cycle. It's a long, thin creature with black

spots. The larva eats aphids and other small insects. Pupa The pupa is the third stage of the ladybird's life cycle. It's a dormant stage where the

larva transforms into an adult ladybird. Adult The adult ladybird is the fourth and final stage of the life cycle

It's a small, round insect with red or yellow wings and black spots. Adult ladybirds eat

aphids and other small insects. Why do ladybirds come into the house

There are a few reasons why you might have ladybirds in the house. One reason is that they're looking for food. If there are aphids in your house

ladybirds will be drawn to them. Another reason why ladybirds might come into your

house is that they're looking for shelter. Ladybirds need warm places to overwinter

and your house can provide them with the shelter they need. However, they may come out of hibernation

too early because your home is so warm. It is much better if they overwinter in your ladybird hotel

Do all ladybirds hibernate? I am no expert on all ladybirds around the

world but here in the UK they do. Some hibernate individually and some cluster into large groups

I rather think it depends on the availability of food and the temperature

There are lots of ways to build bug hotels that accommodate many insects

not just ladybirds. You can use a variety of materials including pine cones

straw and hollow bamboo canes. You can keep it simple or get very creative like this example

here. Remember it is not about what it looks like but whether the ladybirds will use it

So get started today and help your ladybirds to overwinter in your garden

If you are looking for more great projects for your garden, then check out my whole gardening section