Comments on: Where can I get some Lady Bugs in West LA?

Question: Where can I get some Lady Bugs in West LA?

skEwb — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 23:33:12 -0800

Where can I get some Lady Bugs in West LA? I'm looking to protect a garden from other insects. Thanks! I'm in the mar vista/culver city area.

By: miss lynnster

miss lynnster — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 00:31:45 -0800

I vividly recall buying some at Anawalt a few years ago.

By: hal_c_on

hal_c_on — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 01:28:46 -0800

Santa Monica Farmers market. Saturday or Wednesday, I don't think I have seen any on Sunday.

By: everybody polka

everybody polka — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 07:33:32 -0800

Try calling Armstrong, I've definitely seen them there before. If they have them in stock, they keep them at the checkout counter.

By: sharkfu

sharkfu — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 08:12:52 -0800

I think I've seen them at the Orchard Supply Hardware on Bundy, back through the sliding doors into the garden department, on the left side. I can't guarantee that, however.

By: chundo

chundo — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 09:34:51 -0800

You can order them online if you can't find them near you.

By: jonah

jonah — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 09:55:44 -0800

I second the Anawalt suggestion, plus it's an overall great store.

By: X4ster

X4ster — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 10:37:45 -0800

Orchard Supply Hardware regularly stocks Lady Bugs and several other predatory insects. They also carry a good selection of Earth friendly and organic pest controls. Talk with the garden person at any OSH in your area.

By: mudpuppie

mudpuppie — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 12:51:30 -0800

Sharing of personal experience: Though the packaging contains instructions on how/when/where to release them so that they stay in your garden, it's never, ever worked for me. I suspect that my neighbors' gardens, however, benefit greatly. I've always wanted to try releasing them several doors down to see if that would make my garden more attractive to them.

I've had better luck with praying mantises. (The egg cases are stocked right next to the ladybugs in my garden store.) They stick around for longer and their diet is much more varied. However, you have to wait for them to hatch, which can be frustrating.

By: skEwb

skEwb — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 12:54:52 -0800

Thanks everybody! I ended up finding some thanks for all the suggestions :)