Lacewing & ladybug lodges
What’s the Buzz About the Lodges?
Think of the Lacewing & Ladybug Lodges as a luxurious winter retreat for your garden's hardest-working tenants.
Ladybugs, lacewings, and other beneficial bugs check in for the cold season, finding a safe, cozy spot to rest, recharge, and prepare for their springtime aphid buffet. With the loss of natural habitats, ladybirds and lacewings are finding it harder to find safe places to shelter over winter.
These natural predators are on a mission to keep your garden pest-free, as they feast on aphids, mites, and other garden nuisances. So, by offering them a place to rest and relax, you’re ensuring they’ll be back in spring to take care of your garden’s unwanted pests.
Ladybugs begin their search for winter accommodations in late autumn. Get your lodge set up early to ensure it’s available when they’re looking for a place to check in.
Add a few natural materials like pine cones, dry leaves, and twigs to fill the rooms with all the amenities a ladybird could want.
But, beware—damp materials can lead to unpleasant stays, so make sure everything is dry and ready for a comfortable check-in!
The best lodge décor is the kind that’s eco-friendly and picked from your own backyard.
Fill your lodge with natural materials harvested from the garden such as dry grass, plants and leaves, twigs and garden debris.
You’ll find a variety of species in your Lacewing & Ladybug Lodge. Here are some of the most common guests who might be checking in for the winter:
- Seven-Spot Ladybird: The quintessential garden guest with classic red-and-black spots. They’re a common favorite and will quickly settle into your lodge’s premier rooms.
- Two-Spot Ladybird: Often seen hibernating indoors, the Lacewing & Ladybug Lodge might just be the outdoor escape they need.
- Harlequin Ladybird: These non-native guests tend to travel in groups. If you’ve got a “suite” for them, expect to host a few friends as they settle in for the winter months.
- Pine Ladybird: A versatile traveler, the Pine Ladybird loves to explore a variety of plants in your garden. They’ll happily nestle into your lodge, particularly in pine cones, but they’re open to other accommodations.
- Lacewings: With their delicate, lacy wings, these are some of the most elegant guests at the lodge. These aphid-eating machines are just as helpful as your ladybug residents—maybe even more! Lacewing larvae are voracious predators and often camouflage themselves with dried aphid bodies, making them masters of disguise and pest control. They’ll be doing the heavy lifting in your garden, helping to keep all the unwanted pests at bay.
- Hoverflies: Often mistaken for bees or wasps due to their vibrant stripes and spots, hoverflies are the friendly pollinators your garden needs. Unlike their buzzing lookalikes, these single-winged marvels hover gracefully in mid-air and are easy to observe up close. Their larvae are the unsung heroes of pest control, dining on aphids and recycling organic matter. With their rounded or slender abdomens and dazzling aerial displays, hoverflies bring both beauty and balance to your garden’s ecosystem.
How to Keep the Lodge Fully Booked
If your lodge isn’t buzzing with guests right away, try moving it to a new spot next season. Sometimes a change of scenery is all it takes to attract a new crowd. Adding some nectar-rich flowers nearby and avoiding pesticides will also help your lodge stay in demand. After all, these little critters are looking for a clean, safe, and tasty environment—so make sure your garden is a welcoming place for them year-round. With the Lacewing & Ladybug Lodge nestled in the perfect spot in your garden, you’ll have a team of natural pest controllers ready to help out. By providing these beneficial bugs with a comfortable, safe home, you’re ensuring a healthier garden, free from pests, all while giving your insect guests the winter retreat they deserve!
So, don’t wait—get your lodge ready and watch your garden thrive. It’s one lodge where “checking in” really means checking pests out—for good!
Lodge Guests
