Ladybugs to the Rescue!

For the past couple years we've had a lot of trouble with aphids in our roses. I tried the organic insecticides, and they seemed to have little to no effect. I have been reluctant to try anything stronger because the rose bushes are right next to our vegetable garden.

This year, the roses are just starting to fill out and bud, and already they are COVERED in those nasty little aphids. A friend suggested ladybugs and what do you know -- they sell them here in town in neat little plastic containers! Apparently, ladybugs love aphids more than anything and can eat hundreds of them per day. The boys and I "released" the ladybugs into our garden this evening and marveled as we watched them crawl up the plants and start in on their favorite cuisine.

We wish our ladybug friends "Bon Appetit"!