Indoor Ladybug Habitat

Though there are over 150 species of ladybug in the U.S. alone, the most common, and most recognizable, is red with black spots. They are typically less than half an inch in length and have wings beneath their wing covers. Ladybugs are incredibly helpful insects, especially to people with gardens because they eat aphids and other garden pests. You can raise ladybugs in your own home. It's a fun and educational project to do with your kids and you can release the bugs into your garden to help it thrive.

  1. Container

    • If you want to raise ladybugs, whether for a science project, fun activity for your kids or to release into your garden, the first thing you'll need is a container in which to keep them. After all, you don't want ladybugs flying all over your house. Purchase ladybug habitats online or in toy stores, or use any container that has air holes that are small enough that the ladybugs can't escape. A terrarium or aquarium with a screen covering the top makes a great habitat. Place some branches and stones in your habitat to give the ladybugs something to climb.

    Ladybugs

    • Once you've got your habitat set up, you'll need to add some ladybugs. If you've purchased a ladybug habitat kit, it probably came with a coupon for ladybugs. If so, go ahead and send it in. Otherwise, you can look online for places to order ladybugs or you can catch some outside and add them to your habitat. To attract ladybugs, spray a mixture of whey and yeast on your plants.

    Food

    • Before adding the ladybugs to your habitat, make sure you have some food on hand. Ladybugs eat other insects in the wild, so this is their preferred diet. You can purchase ladybug food online if you'd rather use that and some should be included with your ladybugs if you mail ordered them. If you'd prefer to find your own food, find plants infested with small insects and place the leaves, or the whole plants if they'll fit, into your ladybug habitat. Spider mites are small enough for ladybugs and it's usually pretty easy to find plants infested with these mites.

    Water

    • Like most insects, ladybugs need water for survival. They only require a small amount, so consider adding a damp paper towel to your habitat. Mist the habitat and paper towel every couple of days to make sure the habitat contains enough moisture for your ladybugs. Replace the paper towel weekly, or as needed.