Build a Ladybug House

Love the little red ladybugs that crawl across your hand in the spring? Not only are they beautiful but ladybugs eat hundreds of pest insects such as whitefly, mealy bugs and spider mites. Attracting them to your garden has lots of benefits! Now that this time is arriving, make a ladybug house out of simple materials to entice these cute little creatures to crawl on in!

Steps

  1. Find a sturdy piece of cardboard in the form of a box or sheet. A shoebox or thick card-stock is a good weight.
  2. Cut out five 5 x 5 inch (12.5 x 12.5cm) squares from the cardboard.
  3. Tape the five pieces together to form a box shape. One side should be free of a cover; this will form the entrance.
  4. Decorate the ladybug's little house of wonder. In case you didn't know, ladybugs are attracted to: light blue, pink and yellow. Here is one possible look you could try:
    • Paint or cover the box in light blue.

    • Paint or glue on pink and yellow flowers.

    • The inside doesn't have to be painted, unless you really want it to be.

  5. Ensure that the little house dries completely before moving to the next steps.
  6. Add a water source. Ladybugs are really attracted to water. They spend their entire lifespan searching for it. So, it's a good idea to also make a tiny pool that will accompany the ladybug house, alongside it. Out of tin foil, create a pool that is about 5 inches (12.4cm) long and very, very shallow, like half the size of a ladybug. If you have a small Styrofoam plate, all the better!
  7. Prepare the water container.
    • Fill it with tap water (optional) .

    • Add rocks, leaves, and/or dirt, but not too many or it will weigh down the house.

    • Also add a lightly damp paper towel (don't put to much, it can harm it), folded up into the interior.

    • Throw in some tiny crumbs of cheese,pieces of no citrus fruit, and/or meat for good measure.

  8. Place the ladybug's new house on a sturdy tree branch. Place the tiny pool right next to it. Spray the whole ladybug hotel with a sweet, fruity perfume (optional) , give it an hour or two, and you should see some ladybugs taking up residence!
  9. Finished.



Tips

  • If you want your house to last for a long time, make it out of wood instead of cardboard, or laminate the cardboard.
  • Never forget the leaves.
  • Ladybugs love nettle plants; grow some near the ladybug house.
  • You may also have a multicolored texture for the walls.
  • Do this only during spring; it will probably not work during any other time.
  • In order to decorate the house, you can use various shapes cut out from colored paper.

Warnings

  • It is almost guaranteed that ladybugs will swarm, but don't build up too many expectations in younger children; they might get too excited and cry if none come.

Things You'll Need

  • Cardboard (shoe box, card-stock, etc.)
  • Pink, light blue, and yellow construction paper or paint to cover house, make flowers with, etc. Use non-toxic paints.
  • Paper towel (preferred but optional)
  • Water
  • Cheese (optional)
  • Perfume

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