Pet hybernating ladybirds

Coley · #1 (**permalink**) 14-01-2008, 08:32 PM

I was taking down a net curtain prior to having new double glazing fitted just before Christmas when a bunch of oversized lentils fell on to the window sill.
Woops, I had disturbed 10 sleeping ladybirds. I carefully gathered them up put them in a bug pot and put them somewhere dark and warmish.

Firstly I would like to know if I did the right thing and secondly I need to know when to release them back into the wild. I appreciate your help peeps, thanx.

Paul mabbott · #2 (**permalink**) 15-01-2008, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coley

I was taking down a net curtain prior to having new double glazing fitted just before Christmas when a bunch of oversized lentils fell on to the window sill.
Woops, I had disturbed 10 sleeping ladybirds. I carefully gathered them up put them in a bug pot and put them somewhere dark and warmish.

Firstly I would like to know if I did the right thing and secondly I need to know when to release them back into the wild. I appreciate your help peeps, thanx.

A large proportion of ladybirds that come into houses die - commonly it gets too warm and they wake up with nothing to eat or drink or they just can't find their way out again.

Another possibility is that these are 'harlequin' ladybirds Harmonia axyridis which you won't particularly want in your house [See
http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/fo...ladybirds.html ].

I would recommend putting all ladybirds outside whenever you find them unless they're in a cool room with easy access. If it's a native species then they can go into a garage or garden shed or just in leaf litter in a hedge row - anywhere not too exposed to rain and cold.

Coley · #3 (**permalink**) 15-01-2008, 03:36 PM

Thanks Paul, there was about four black with red spots ones and the rest looked like harlequins. I put them outside under a shelter, theres lots of things they can hide out in under there.