It’s that time of year so don’t be thripping. … Well, don’t be worried about thrips when you have Lady Bugs to prevent them.

And we have Lady Bugs and praying mantises. They’ve just arrived at the store, just in time for the spring. They are Beneficial Bugs that will help police the bad bugs like aphids, whiteflies, spider mites, grass hoppers and more.

Lady Bugs attack their prey in both larvae and adult stages and are prolific in doing so. It’s said Lady Bugs can consume more than 1,000 aphids in its lifetime. So, it’s a good bug; a very good bug and kind of cute.

The Praying Mantis isn’t as cute but it’s just as effective. And, although it looks a bit gangly and slow, it can capture pests in a blink of an eye. Actually, before you even said eye in the last sentence it can latch onto its prey

If only the Arizona basketball team could play defense like a Praying Mantis. Once the insect latches on to an opponent, it’s all but over.

So, get your cute Lady Bugs and Praying Mantis just in time for those garden opponents during March Madness… We have them at Rillitto Nursery so come in and pick them up.