FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
ABOUT LADYBUGS
Q. What are those round orange bugs with black spots I find in my house?
A. These small beetles are referred to as the Ladybug. First, let's start with a little background information on this specific ladybug. The official name of this ladybug is *Harmonia axyridis* or as I call it, the multicolored Asian Lady Beetle. Ladybugs control tree-dwelling aphids on pecans, apples, christmas trees,... They are a beneficial insect that controls harmful insects and provides an alternative to pesticides. Ladybugs spend the spring and summer in the trees feeding on aphids.
Q. Why are the beetles coming to my house and not my neighbors?
A. The beetles seem to be attracted to white or bright-colored surfaces. They may be drawn to a particular house because of the color of the exterior or it may simply be that it's the first house they fly towards.
Q. Where are the beetles in my house coming from?
A. With the fall temperature changes they will cluster against the south (warm) side of homes. In Japan they cluster on high cliffs. They are highly migratory and will move many miles in Oct. and Nov. to a high site, sometimes a house. The ladybeetles that people find in their homes in the spring are mostly the ones that made their way indoors last fall. It's possible that a few are coming in from the surrounding trees on warm days. The beetles can fit through very small gaps or cracks in siding, masonry, around window and door casings, and even attic vents.
Q. Are the beetles laying eggs in my house?
A. The beetles do not reproduce indoors because there is no food available. In the spring, they will move outdoors in search of prey.
Q. Do these beetles pose any threat to me or my home?
A. They are a threat only to your sanity. The beetles feed strictly on aphids. Once they are awakened from the winter, the beetles cannot survive indoors for very long. They will move back outdoors in search of prey and for sites in which to lay their eggs (usually tree branches).
Q. How can I help the ladybugs that are in my home?
A. I have taught my kids to gently pick them up and release them outside. The reason you have some indoors is that they have found their way through the wall and roof area. If they remain inside too long they will die. Also, they must go into a resting stage for the winter or they will die. The good news is that it is very likely many more are outside your house tucked under the roof area or in cracks and crevices.
Q. Can I use "flea bombs" to get rid of the beetles?
A. This method will only kill beetles that are in exposed areas of your home; this is considered only a temporary fix. These products don't penetrate walls or other crevices easily. Any beetles showing up after the insecticidal fog has dispersed will not be killed.
Q. What can I spray to get rid of the beetles?
A. As with the "flea bombs", insecticidal sprays are a very temporary and ineffective fix to the problem.
Q. What can I do to get rid of the beetles?
A. Other than exercising a lot of patience, the easiest approach is to suck up the beetles in a vacuum cleaner and deposit them outdoors. Remember they are helpful insects in the great outdoors. It's important to empty the bag immediately outside or else an odor from decaying beetles may permeate the vacuum cleaner and remain noticeable every time you use the vacuum. In early fall, you can inspect the exterior of the house and seal any openings through which beetles might enter the home.
Q. Will the beetles be back next fall?
A. Unfortunately or fortunately, depending on who you are
talking to, there is no reason to suspect that the beetles will
not be back next fall. Just try to think of this as being a part
of nature that is keeping us from having to use as many
insecticides on outdoor plants.
If you would like more information about ladybugs CLICK HERE to go to the publication put out by
NCSU.
