The Comox Valley Regional District’s (CVRD) “Nature Works” program is offering a free ladybug release event at the Lake Trail community demonstration garden on Monday, August 11 from 6 – 7 p.m. to showcase how these friendly insects can help your garden grow, without resorting to the use of environmentally-unfriendly pesticides.
“Nature Works” is an education and awareness program that encourages the use of pesticide alternatives by people in municipalities with pesticide bylaws, and by others who simply want to know more about creating pesticide-free lawns and gardens.
In partnership with Lake Trail Neighbourhood Connections, hundreds of ladybugs will be released into the community gardens located beside Lake Trail middle school on Willemar Avenue. The community demonstration garden will be open from 5 - 7 p.m. with the ladybug activities starting at 6 p.m.
“Many gardeners enjoy releasing purchased ladybugs in their garden or on their patio containers,” said Shannon Pickering, CVRD Nature Works educator. “A single ladybug can eat as many as 50 aphids each day.”
Participants attending the ladybug release will discover how they can use these creatures and other beneficial insects to get rid of common pests. With a little help from good bugs, including worms, birds and bats, your garden can stay healthy all season long. You may never need to use a pesticide again.
In addition to this special ladybug release event, the CVRD “Nature Works” display will be set up this summer at the Comox Valley Exhibition August 22 – 24 and the Black Creek Fall Fair, Saturday, September 13. For more information on pesticide alternatives, visit www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/pesticidealternatives .
The Comox Valley Regional District is a federation of three electoral areas and three municipalities providing sustainable services for residents and visitors to the area. The members of the regional district work collaboratively on services for the benefit of the diverse urban and rural areas of the Comox Valley.