Ladybug, Ladybug...

In honor of Earth Day, I decided to orchestrate a quick, earth-friendly project M and I could do together. So yesterday evening, before picking her up from daycare, I stopped at the garden store. I didn't really have anything specific in mind but the local nursery seemed like a good place to start. I knew I needed something:

a) inexpensive
b) earth-friendly
c) fast and easy enough to hold the attention of a two-year old

After some aimless wandering, I ended up in the natural pest-control section. Imagine my excitement when I spotted several refrigerated containers of praying mantis eggs! (yes, the enthusiasm is genuine. I have always loved mantises [or mantids as they are apparently called]). I almost bought them, too, but then remembered M's fear of long, leggy insects and reluctantly put them back on the shelf. And that, my friends, is when I hit the jackpot (metaphorically speaking of course):


Ladybugs! Cute as a button and efficient pest killers. Cheap too! I bought a container and took my new-found friends home.

Per the instructions, the little guys need to be released just before the sun sets. This way they will snuggle up on some plants for the night and, if all goes as planned, wake up tomorrow morning totally thrilled with their new home and not inclined to relocate. So M and I shall free the ladybugs at dusk tonight as a gift to the planet (and our yard).

Check back later this evening for the thrilling conclusion!