hibernation habitat for wintering ladybugs

I came upon a dying ladybug in the stairwell of my apartment building. I picked it up and looked up about ladybugs and winter. I realized that ladybugs attempt to hibernate but sometimes get inside instead of the windowsill area where they are attempting to achieve cover and some warmth for their hibernation. I guess when they get inside, our dry heated houses and apartments are too dry for them to survive and they die. I decided to make a little temporary habitat using some leftover organic herb greens I had(read that it has to be organic or there might be pesticides on plants that would kill them) and I ordered some powdered ladybug food off the internet. I also put a damp napkin on the base of the container to achieve humidity. I change up the herbs when they start dying. I also stuck in a piece of someones Christmas tree that had fallen on the stairs,... and that seems to be their favorite. I read that ladybugs like thyme, mint, and raisins soaked in purified water ripped apart. I added a couple new ladybugs. One is a ladybug I'd found flying at the overhead light. I then added a hibernating ladybug that was on the windowsill. I could have left that one alone, but I thought ladybug might have more fun being in the habitat. Little did I know, a romance was about to blossom. I let them know periodically that they are free to roam for a bit. I plan to set them free outside when the weather gets warm enough.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• ladybugs
• pet ladybug
• pet ladybugs
• ladybug hibernation
• temporary pet ladybug
• caring for ladybugs
• ladybug rescue

[shitzulovey]

Krissie,  me too, I put mine in a bug house but wonder what I should feed her, it has been 3 weeks and she is active, she has water and some greens.

Are you feeding yours????

[Krissie84p]

Thanks for the info. we just found a ladybug in the house, we tried to send it out but it looked like it was going to die. So, it looks like we have company over for xmas.

[OneHappyBird123]

Very cool!