To: SANDRA STINSON
Subject: ladybugs, etc
SS>In my experience, ladybugs tend to disappear pretty fast. Same with
SS>mantids. Besides they don't really eat enough of the nasty creatures to
SS>bother, tho' every little bit counts!! What I really like in my garden
SS>are toads! They eat a ton of bugs a day, and I think they're cute :)
SS>Sandra
    Howdy, Sandra. Nice name. :-) Ladybugs can migrate very quickly when
    conditions aren't favourable (mainly, not enough food insects.)
    Their limited size limits their diet to very small insects, like
    aphids. Of course, it's these small critters that cause so much
    economic loss.
    I like toads, too, but they require both moisture and shelter in the
    garden. (Their most favourite spot, bar none, is in a windowwell
    where insects gather to beat against lighted windows at night.)
    Even toads will migrate if their food supply gets low. But one
    reason I prefer toads to ladybugs is - toads can be tamed. My
    M-in-Law had a huge one living by her doorstep for several years.
    She could pick it up and pet it, then put it down again, and it
    didn't struggle. Every day, when she first saw it and spoke to it,
    it would chirp at her like a bird.
    And just-hatched toadlings are cute miniatures. 
                        ...Sandra...
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