I'm planning on putting in a butterfly garden this year, my milkweed
seeds are coming up and I'm hoping to give them a good start and
strong hold for the future.

I've been thinking about purchasing some lady bugs, of which I used
to have a lot of in my yard, but have hardly seen any in the last 2 years.

So I'm wondering if folks have had any experience with purchasing ladybugs?
If so, were you happy with the results?

I have never purchased ladybugs, but it is my understanding that they won't hang around if they have no food source. Sort of a "chicken and egg" conundrum.

Thanks for the info Mac,

I see where you can order them, they also sell food for them.

Still, Probably best to think about later in the spring/early summer, instead of this time of year though....
Would hate to buy them, and they leave right off....

@Shy_gardener, you may get other opinions. Like you, we don't see nearly as many ladybugs as we have in the past. We still find lots of aphids and white flies though, that we have to get rid of by other means.

I bought some to put in my greenhouse last year. They stuck around for about 2 weeks eating all of my aphids, but then they all flew off. I'm not sure I'd do it again.

Thanks Karen,

That's good to know. I was kinda figuring they would stick around and
find things to eat on nearby, like the Praying Mantis do.