How to use ladybugs to control pests in your cotton crop

If you own your own cotton crop, you’ve surely battled cotton pests like mealy bugs or aphids before. Pest control products can be expensive, so why not use ladybugs as an inexpensive alternative? Ladybugs eat both adult mealy bugs and the cotton aphid eggs, which have caused problems in some crops, but not ladybugs’ favorite plants: daisies and dandelions. Here’s how to use ladybugs to control pests in your cotton crop!

What are ladybugs?

Ladybugs are brightly colored beetles that feed on plant-eating insects. They are often used as a form of pest control because they eat other bugs that destroy crops. Ladybug eggs hatch into larvae, which then turn into adult ladybugs and eat more bugs! This is a great way to make sure you have a successful harvest.

What do they eat?

Ladybugs are one of the best natural predators of insects that damage plants and they can be used as a biological form of pest control. They eat most soft-bodied insects such as aphids, mealy bugs, whiteflies, and mites. Ladybug larvae are also ravenous plant eaters that feast on the eggs and larvae of many types of harmful insects. 

The adults will feed on nectar from flowers and other sweet substances like honeydew from aphids or sap from trees.

How many do I need?

Ladybugs are predatory insects that feed on other insects. They can eat as many as 50 aphids per day. Ladybugs lay eggs on the undersides of leaves, which hatch into larvae that then eat more aphids. One adult female can lay up to 500 eggs over her lifetime and an entire generation can be born every month. 

LadyBugs need a temperature of 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit and relative humidity of at least 60% for eggs to hatch.

How do I release them?

Ladybugs are an effective biological agent that can be used as a pest control method for cotton crops. To release them, you will need to find a location close to the infested area and place a small container of ladybugs on the ground. It is important not to release them too far away from the problem or they may fly away before they start eating any of the pests. If you find that after releasing them, many are still flying around, there are two possible causes.

What if they fly away?

With any pest control, there is always the risk that they will fly away. To combat this, a good idea would be to release them at night when they are less likely to fly away. Another suggestion would be to release them closer to the ground where they are more likely not to fly away. However, it is also a good idea to have an escape plan just in case something does go wrong.

What else can I do to help?

It is important to note that while the cotton bollworm and other pests are not a problem for many farmers, they can be a huge pest for those who have had their crops destroyed. Fortunately, there are some natural ways you can help keep these pesky bugs away from your plants. Ladybugs are one way you can take care of this problem.