Ladybugs!

Have we got ladybugs!

I mentioned the other day that my lovely Gertrude Jekyll rosebush was suffering an awful aphid infestation which I planned to solve with ladybugs. We've done this before...gone to the local garden center and purchased a bucket of the cute red insects, released them into our yard, and watched them devour the aphids that were thick as thieves on the succulent, tender rose buds and shoots.

Yesterday was the day. After school, we went and bought our little bucket o' bugs. We watered the garden and waited until dusk. We opened the bucket and sprinkled the buggy contents around the bottom of the afflicted shrub. It was cool and darkish, and the ladybugs were very sluggish. As they were not very entertaining, we all went inside.

This morning at around 9, I mentioned the ladybugs.

The backdoor flew open and 3 excited kids ran out and over to the rose...whereupon they began shrieking with delight! Ladybugs in and amongst the petals...

Ladybugs clustering in the rose's foliage...

And visiting the neighboring strawberry...

We believe some were mating...and some were chasing to mate...

And the dianthus...

They loved the dianthus. 

As of this evening, there is absolutely NO sign of aphids on these plants :)

Go, ladybugs!