ONE of the best-known secrets of healthy gardens is so small you may need to squint to see it — the ladybird.
A Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife spokeswoman said the creatures were appearing in gardens throughout St George and Sutherland Shire as the weather warms up.
She advised gardeners to stop using chemicals and pesticides as they could also be unwittingly getting rid of nature's bug controller.
Planting nectar and pollen-producing native plants was a good way to entice them, as was a mix of honey, water and brewer's yeast spread in the garden.
"We recommend being patient and waiting for the ladybirds to come to you," she said. "However, if you have tried all the tips and still no ladybirds, you can actually purchase them."
Have you seen many ladybirds in your garden this year?