Ladybug Home

What You Need:

• Small to medium-sized plastic tub, with lid
• Scissors
• Grass, moss, twigs, leaves
• Water mister, or bottle cap with water
• Grape halves and/or raisins
• Ladybugs if available

What You Do:

1. Explain to your child that ladybugs, like birds and other animals, appreciate homes and shelters during cold winter weather. Your child will be making a ladybug home to help some of the ladybugs in the area have a warm place to stay for the season.
2. Provide your child with the plastic tub and lid. Help your child cut two small holes in the bottom of the tub with scissors. The holes should be large enough for a ladybug to crawl through, but not much larger.
3. Have your child collect grass, moss, twigs, and leaves from outside. They can place these on back of the tub’s lid.
4. Have your child spray some water inside the ladybug home. Alternatively, they could put a bottle cap of water on top of the tub lid’s back side. Tell your child to be careful not to fill it up too high; the ladybug shouldn’t be able to swim in it!   
5. Ladybugs can get their water from sources such as grapes and raisins.These also make good foods for attracting ladybugs to the habitat. Give your child grape halves and raisins to place on the tub lid.
6. Lastly, assist your child as they place the bottom of the tub over the lid and attach them. Have your child place the finished habitat outside in a garden area. If your child finds any winter flowers, place the tub near them (ladybugs are more likely to be near flowers). If you have a ladybug or two, put them inside the tub.
7. Remind your child to check the tub daily to see if ladybugs are in it! Refresh the water and change the leaves if they get brown. 
8. Congratulate your child on helping a couple cold ladybugs survive the winter!