16 April 2025

Customer Question – Euphorbia Aphids and Ladybirds

Q. “Thanks for the nematodes! Next up I seem to have an aphid (?) infestation on my euphorbia outside. Should I get a pack of ladybirds? Photos attached. Thanks.” Baris Acar

A. Wow that is a lot of aphids. Ladybird Larvae do love to eat aphids, BUT I fear Ladybird Larvae would never catch up i.e. they will breed as fast as the ladybird eat them, so I would use a natural spray 1^st (we recommend SB Invigorator) to kill as many aphids as possible and then you can release some ladybird larvae to mop up any left and keep them away.

Use SB Invigorator to control insect pests such as aphids, mealy bug, woolly aphids, scale and when used regularly it will reduce fungal diseases such as mildew. SB Invigorator is not only highly effective, but it is also biodegradable and non toxic. SB Plant Invigorator can be used in the garden, conservatory or in the greenhouse and most importantly can be used on edible plants – pick and eat straightway. SB Invigorator is brilliant at clearing heavy infestations BEFORE introducing a natural control. SB Invigorator is available as a 500ml ready to use spray, as a 250ml concentrate(makes 25 litres of spray), or as a 500ml concentrate (makes 50 litres of spray) for use in your own sprayer.

Ladybird Larvae – Each ladybird larvae will eat a large number of pests before pupating and emerging as a ladybird ready to breed and produce the next generation of ladybirds. As they are supplied as larvae, they are ideal for releasing directly onto plants heavily infected with aphids – as they they are unable to fly and will stay where you put them. We include 5 small paper release bags to make releasing your ladybirds as easy as possible – simply tip 10 larvae in each bags and position on the plants. Ladybird Larvae have a huge appetite for soft-bodied pests such as aphids, so release ladybird larvae onto your pest infected plants to clear pest problems. We supply native British Ladybird Larvae in packs of 50 with food included ready for release in your garden or for use under-glass. Green Gardener only supplies British Adalia bipunctata ladybirds – we do NOT supply Harlequin ladybirds. The ladybirds are sent by 1st class post with food included. Available in packs of 50 with 5 release bags ready for release in the garden.