Ladybugs, Hippodamia convergens, are not available at this time. This is a normal occurrence, they are often unavailable in May due to their normal life cycle. Hopefully they will be available again in June. In the meantime, at least for a couple of weeks, we’re going to try and help ease your pain by putting our lacewing products, the Chrysoperla spp., in all of its available forms, on sale. Lacewings aren’t as inexpensive as ladybugs, but they are an option. Use the eggs as a general preventive measure, and use the larvae for control.
This sale is effective until the ordering deadline on May 30th, 2008, and will apply to orders placed by phone, fax, or made online. Please note, though, that the special pricing is good only for orders shipped no later than June 6th, 2008 (unless there is a delay on our end). To order these items online, they can be found under the Buy Aphid Biocontrols heading, all marked ![[ON SALE]](http://greenmethods.com/site/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_onsale.jpg "[ON SALE]"){kind=icon}
If you want to stay up-to-date with fleeting offers like this, just visit our Bug Blog often to look for announcements, or just subscribe to our Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feed. If you’re wondering what an RSS feed is, check out that help topic. If you want to learn more about ladybugs and their life cycle, you might enjoy this semi-fiction anecdote, California Girls. Humorous yet educational.
Jamey Santangelo responds:
Posted: May 19th, 2008 at 9:17 am →
My hemlocks are being attacked by elongated hem. scale. This is after an attack of whooly adelgid which has been controlled. I’ve read the following: http://na.fs.fed.us/wv/hwa/abstract.cfm?ID=4489. The Cybocephalus nipponicus is showing good results as far as I can tell. Can you recommend a substitute since they are so expensive. The hemlocks were sprayed with hort oil a couple months ago and I think they need another app. because the infestation is severe. I thought I could use the good bugs over the summer months after this next app. of oil. Any advise would be appreciated since the trees are in decline and many birds frequent my little hemlock sanctuary Thanks, Jamey
Mike Cherim responds:
Posted: May 19th, 2008 at 9:31 am →
For the adelgid we could offer a couple of options, but for the scale you’re probably using the best choice. You could experiment with some of the other scale controls, but we’d get the results of such from you.
Mike Cherim responds:
Posted: May 21st, 2008 at 4:20 pm →
Attention: Ladybugs are back already
Ladybugs are Back, Bt?, and Memorial Day - GreenMethods.com responds:
Posted: May 23rd, 2008 at 12:57 am →
[…] We’ve only enjoyed one year since we’ve been doing this that ladybugs, Hippodamia convergens, were available the entire year — due to their natural life-cycle. Last year was horrible, ladybugs were gone for a while, as we wrote about at the time, so this year our optimism was reserved. Well, we have good news: It was just a few days ago that we announced the beginning of this year’s shortage (and put lacewings on sale), and now we’ve learned that ladybugs are once again back in the foothills of California’s Sierra Nevada, and are thus being collected. In other words, the fresh 2008 ladybugs are now available for purchase. Dig in! […]
Mike Cherim responds:
Posted: May 31st, 2008 at 10:53 pm →
This sale has been concluded. We will have others, though. To stay current on this sort of thing, since announcements will be made in our Bug Blog, subscribe to our RSS Feed.