Most peoples experience with ladybugs is limited to exposure to one or two at a time when a passing ladybug happens to
decide to land on them. In reality, the little creatures can and will do everything they can to move quickly out of your control.
So, unless you are intending on making a single quick release, it is a good idea to consider a few tips. The easiest way to
keep them in check is to put them in a refrigerator for 10 - 15 minutes before opening the container. This will slow
them down a lot but only for a few minutes so be quick in whatever activity you may have planned, such as transfering to other
containers etc. You can put them in the refrigerator over and over again if neccessay. Ladybugs prefer not to fly unless they
are very warm so they resort to crawling. They crawl very fast if they want to and if you are not watching them closely, soon,
they will be all over everything. Before opening their container, you should have a replacement top ready, the easiest
thing to do is get a small piece of aluminum foil, trim it to approximate size and poke a few dozen small air holes in it.
The container tops that come with the bugs are difficult, if not impossible to remove because of the sealing process.
It is reccomended that you do not attempt to remove it, Instead, tap on the container to get the bugs off the inside of the
top and then, using scissors or a sharp knife, cut the mesh insert from the top thus opening it with no problems, remember
to cool the bugs first. If you have loose bugs crawling around, take a piece of white paper towel and leave it near the bugs.
Turn off any lights if possible and come back in a few hours. The ladybugs , or most of them, will be on and under the paper
towel, shake them off in any desired location. Repeat as neccessary. Have fun.
|