In Southern Colorado, gardeners are discovering the benefits of using ladybugs to protect their plants from harmful pests. These tiny helpers are proving to be invaluable allies in maintaining healthy gardens without the need for chemical pesticides.

Natural Pest Control

Ladybugs are known for their appetite for aphids and spider mites, two common pests that can cause significant damage to plants and vegetables. By introducing ladybugs into their gardens, local gardeners can effectively control these pests naturally.

Mike Spencer of Spencer’s Produce Lawn and Garden Centers explains, “You water the plant that may have aphids on it early in the evening, and then you let the ladybugs go below the plant. They will go up there and do a really good job of cleaning up the aphids or spider mites.” Once the food source is depleted, the ladybugs move on to other areas, continuing their beneficial work.

Companion Planting

In addition to using ladybugs, gardeners can plant marigolds and basil to help manage pest populations. Marigolds attract pests away from vegetables, while basil serves as a host plant, drawing pests away from other plants. These companion planting strategies complement the work of ladybugs, creating a balanced ecosystem in the garden.

As the summer progresses, Steve’s Garden in Southern Colorado will continue to showcase the effectiveness of these natural pest control methods. Gardeners are encouraged to share photos of their own gardens with KRDO13 to celebrate the success of these eco-friendly practices.

Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.