As a Mum of four, if I found ladybugs in the garden I would catch them to show them to our toddlers, I was fascinated by their colour, size and of course the dots!

I would admire them for their cuteness, not fully appreciating their role in our patch. Now much wiser, I salute these delightful little insects. They are a beloved insect of farmers and gardeners who do not use pesticides. These unique little bugs feed mainly on aphids, scales and their eggs, mealybugs and other pests like white fly. In their life cycle they can devour up to 5000 prey! That’s a hefty number right!

Certain plants will attract them to your garden, garlic, parsley, mint, dill and geraniums to name a few... so get planting in your patch and try not to smile when you see them. They are a little unsung hero, working hard for you in your garden.