Spinosad is a natural substance used to kill a range of insects. But can it kill ladybugs? We researched this topic for your convenience and here’s what we found.
Spinosad doesn’t kill ladybugs. This natural substance usually only kills insects like caterpillars, thrips, and certain plant-eating beetle species.
Despite not being able to get rid of ladybugs, you have other solutions to eliminate these insects. Continue reading as we discuss these alternate ladybug-eliminating techniques. We’ll also talk about spinosad in greater detail.
How Do You Get Rid Of Ladybugs?
Despite Spinosad is not an ideal option to eliminate ladybugs. Other choices exist like:
Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth originates from fossilized remains of diatoms, which are small, aquatic entities. If used on insects like ladybugs, diatomaceous earth will significantly dehydrate the bugs’ bodies, removing their natural fats and oils.
This substance is also generally safe to use near humans and animals. So diatomaceous earth can be a good and relatively harmless substitute for chemical pesticides in getting rid of ladybugs and other insects.
Perhaps the only thing you need to do is to spread diatomaceous earth in and around a ladybug-infested area. But be wary as this substance may also kill other beneficial bugs, such as honeybees.
Check out this product on Amazon.
Mums
Also called the chrysanthemum, mums are a family of flowers with a broad range of varieties and hybrids. These plants grow about 1 to 3 feet tall and contain a special ladybug-repelling chemical.
While planting mums won’t kill ladybugs, it can still be a good deterrent against these insects. But take note that mums, like other plants, often have a limited blooming season.
If you plan to cultivate these flowers, ensure that you start in early spring. After that, it should take an entire season before these plants bloom.
Check out these violet mum seeds on Amazon.
Watch the video below to learn the general steps to plant and care for mums:
Soapy Water
Dish soap, particularly those with detergents, can remove the waxy coating on the exoskeleton of ladybugs and other bugs. The result is the insects will dry out, which will lead to their inevitable demise.
Dish soap can also be a reasonably inexpensive way to eliminate ladybugs because most households already have at least one bottle in the kitchen. If you wish to use this solution, follow these steps:
Step-by-Step Guide
- Add two teaspoons of your preferred dish soap to a water-filled spray bottle.
- Shake the bottle well for a few minutes or until a significant amount of soap bubbles emerge.
- Spray the ladybugs liberally.
- Wait for the soapy mixture to kill the insects and vacuum the carcasses afterward.
Check out this product on Amazon.
You can also watch the video below to gain additional insight into this procedure:
Light Trap
Ladybugs, like many other insects, find light alluring. But you can take advantage of this to create a trap for these bugs. Create one by following these steps:
What You’ll Need
- Large plastic containers (e.g., milk jugs)
- Twist ties
- Clamp light
- Transparent sheets (e.g., acetate sheet)
- Black spray paint
- Adhesive tape
- Utility knife
- Hammer
- Nail
- Wooden block
Step-by-Step Guide
- Place the clamp light on the edge of the wooden block.
- Poke four holes around the clamp light’s shade using the hammer and nail.
- Cut two transparent sheets in half and create two V-shaped materials from the cut pieces. You can use adhesive tape to help secure the pieces.
- Create a funnel by cutting a plastic container in half. Paint the makeshift funnel with the black spray paint afterward.
- Attach the clamp light to the V-shaped transparent sheets. Then, secure this assembly with twist ties.
- Connect the other part of the container at the bottom of the transparent sheets, which will serve as a collection bin.
- Place the trap near a ladybug-infested area and bring power to it.
Check out this clamp light on Amazon.
After the trap collects a good amount of ladybugs, you can use a trash bag to gather the insects and dispose of them properly. But be wary as other insects may also find your light trap attractive. So you might also be ensnaring other insects with this setup.
Alternatively, you can watch this video for another way to make this ladybug-catching setup:
Professional Services
If you’re dealing with a massive ladybug infestation, you may choose to hire professional exterminators to handle this problem for you. But prepare to spend about $250 to $525 for these specialized individuals to remove the insects from your property.
What Will Spinosad Kill?
Spinosad can be particularly effective in getting rid of caterpillars and thrips. It can also be a practical choice in eliminating other bugs like leafminers and certain beetle species.
However, spinosad won’t typically kill beneficial insects, particularly ladybugs. This natural substance also doesn’t usually eliminate other insects like slugs, oleander aphids, and squash bugs.
Is Spinosad Banned?
In certain places, it is illegal to distribute and/or use Spinosad. For instance, states like Michigan, Oregon, and Washington don’t allow Spinosad usage, particularly for cannabis growth. Countries like Canada and Denmark warn the people staying in those locations not to sell or use this substance under any circumstance.
How Long Does It Take Spinosad To Work?
Spinosad generally works about 1 to 2 days after application. It’s also a reasonably eco-friendly product to use. This substance doesn’t generally persist in the environment, bringing little to no greenhouse gas effects as it dissolves.
Check out this spinosad concentrate on Amazon.
Is Spinosad Toxic To Humans?
Although it can be an effective insect killer, spinosad’s concentration is typically too low to pose a significant threat to human health. People shouldn’t worry about spinosad overdose after using products containing this substance,
But some individuals might experience mild symptoms when exposed to spinosad briefly. These relatively light adverse effects may include irritation and redness to certain body parts. Spinosad also typically doesn’t absorb into the skin, making it fairly easy to remove.
Is BT Better Than Spinosad?
BT might be better than spinosad for some scenarios. But one insect-killing solution is typically not the best for every scenario. Some people would even use BT and spinosad together to help eliminate pesky bugs from their plants and produce.
Take note that BT is an organic bacterium that helps get rid of insect larvae. Once eaten, BT becomes a toxic substance that can kill certain bugs in their larvae stages. It can also eliminate a range of insect groups, such as butterflies, beetles, and mosquitoes.
On the other hand, spinosad might be a better option to get rid of certain species of adult insects. Using BT with spinosad may help eliminate insect infestations by killing both bugs at their adult and larvae stages.
Despite being quite effective in eliminating certain bugs, both BT and spinosad aren’t ideal in getting rid of ladybugs.
Final Words
Although spinosad can’t kill ladybugs, you can use other methods to get rid of these insects. For example, you can take advantage of diatomaceous earth or you can build a light trap. But take note that some of these ladybug-eliminating solutions may also affect other bugs on your property.
If you like this post, here are other great reads to help you kill other insects:
