Buzz
If you notice Asian ladybugs wandering around your house, there are a variety of simple methods you can use to handle them. Although these insects have a reputation for being pests, rest assured they are harmless. However, if you'd prefer to get rid of these bothersome bugs, we’re here to help. This guide will show you how to manage an infestation, prevent future visits, and give you basic information about identifying Asian ladybugs and staying safe around them.
Steps
Managing the Infestation
Use a vacuum to deal with a large group of ladybugs. This is probably the best method for handling a large number of beetles. If you notice a swarm of ladybugs in your home, you can suck them up using a vacuum cleaner. If possible, use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to ensure they don’t crawl back out. Once you’ve vacuumed them up, release them outdoors.
- This is also a great way to capture ladybugs in hard-to-reach areas. Asian ladybugs tend to hide in corners, attics, and behind drywall to stay warm.
- Ladybugs are actually harmless to the environment, and they don’t damage your home when they come inside to shelter for the winter. If you can, it’s best to release them rather than kill them.
Capture and release each ladybug if you prefer not to harm them. Ladybugs only bite when they feel threatened, so you can gently push them onto a piece of paper and shake them out the window. You can even use a broom to sweep the ladybugs onto a dustpan and release them outside.
- Asian ladybugs are beneficial insects – they control aphid populations and other pests. It's best to let them live, even if you don't want them crawling around your home.
- Don't crush ladybugs! They will release a very unpleasant pheromone and leave stains behind.
Use light traps to lure and capture ladybugs outdoors. These ladybugs are attracted to light, so you can catch them with light traps designed specifically for ladybugs. Unlike typical insect traps, these are one-way traps that emit light to capture them alive. You can buy these traps online. Place the traps where ladybugs gather at night and empty them the next morning.
- If ladybugs are congregating on the side of your house, hang the light trap in your garden, away from the house.
- Pesticides are ineffective against Asian ladybugs, so avoid wasting time spraying chemicals inside your home.
Sprinkle diatomaceous earth at ladybug entry points. If ladybugs are entering your home through cracks and gaps, you can use diatomaceous earth. This natural, non-toxic insecticide will dehydrate and kill the beetles. Sprinkle the diatomaceous earth around visible cracks where you see ladybugs. You can even sprinkle it along baseboards to prevent them from crawling around.
- You can also sprinkle diatomaceous earth around your home to prevent ladybugs and other pests from entering.
- Be sure to choose insect-grade diatomaceous earth instead of food-grade. It will be labeled on the packaging.
Try using soap, vinegar, or rubbing alcohol for a natural solution. Mix one part dish soap with one part water in a spray bottle. Shake it well to ensure the soap is evenly distributed. You can substitute rubbing alcohol or white vinegar for the dish soap if preferred. Spray the solution directly on the ladybugs you see.
- If this solution doesn't kill the ladybugs, at least it will prevent them from crawling further.
Spray essential oils to repel ladybugs. Essential oils such as citronella and peppermint have been shown to repel various types of Asian beetles and may also work with Asian ladybugs. Fill a spray bottle with water, add 5-10 drops of essential oil, and spray the areas where ladybugs are entering your home. You can try using:
- Citronella oil
- Peppermint oil
- Cedarwood oil
- Oregano oil
- Sage oil
- Pine nut oil
Use commercial insecticides if no other options are available. Unfortunately, most natural, non-toxic solutions are not strong enough to handle these pesky insects. You can use insecticides containing pyrethrins or pyrethroids (tetramethrin or resmethrin) by spraying them on the ladybugs. The ladybugs will die upon contact with the chemicals, and then you just need to dispose of them and clean up the residue.
- Unfortunately, insecticides are toxic substances. They can harm your skin and irritate your lungs. Be sure to wear a mask and gloves when using them, and remember to clean any sprayed surfaces thoroughly after disposing of the ladybug remains.
- You might think spraying insecticide into the cracks where ladybugs are emerging is convenient, but this usually doesn't work well. The dead ladybugs can attract others, so leaving them there isn't ideal.
Hire a professional service to handle the infestation. Asian ladybugs tend to gather in hard-to-reach places, making it easier for professionals to find them than for you. Moreover, they have access to stronger insecticides and specialized tools you might not have. If you're looking to remove a large number of ladybugs, this is the option for you.
- Asian ladybugs hibernate in high places where they can find warm shelter. Therefore, they often look for ways to enter low spaces, attics, and cracks in walls on the second and third floors of buildings.
- If possible, look for a pest control service that has experience dealing with Asian ladybugs. These beetles have only recently appeared in the U.S.
Wait for the ladybugs to leave on their own as they will eventually depart when winter is over. These insects don't cause any damage – they simply come inside to hibernate within the walls of your house. If you hear them moving around as the weather warms, it means they’re looking for a way to escape. If you’re not bothered by them, simply ignore the ladybugs, and they will leave in no time!
- If you have a garden, Asian ladybugs will be a friend to your plants! They feed on aphids and other winged insects that damage plants, and they’re even more effective than regular ladybugs at pest control.
Prevent Asian Ladybugs from Entering Your Home
Seal cracks and gaps in your home before winter arrives. If ladybugs appear in your house, it means they’ve entered through a gap somewhere. Seal the gaps around light fixtures and patch any holes in drywall. Seal the spaces around windows and doors using weatherstripping. For chimneys and vents, you can use a mesh screen (20-mesh or finer) to cover the openings. This method will prevent ladybugs from entering while still allowing for proper ventilation.
- This is the best way to stop ladybugs from entering your home in the future. They aren’t very good at sneaking inside. In fact, you may see a cluster of ladybugs outside your house, gathering to hibernate in gaps if they can’t get inside.
Spray insecticide solution around the outside of your house. Any convenient product containing bifenthrin, cyfluthrin, deltamethrin, or permethrin will do the job. Be sure to follow the instructions on the label, wear protective gear, and spray the outside walls of your house to prevent ladybugs from coming inside. They’ll look for another place to hibernate.
- This is a good option if sealing your house is not feasible due to the age of the building or if you need to make major repairs.
- Ladybugs are attracted to walls that are exposed to plenty of sunlight. If your house is large, at least treat the walls facing west and south.
Avoid decorating with contrasting colors if possible. Asian ladybugs are attracted to surfaces with contrasting light and dark colors. You can prevent them from appearing by decorating with more uniform colors. If your house has dark walls, use dark-colored curtains and remove bright-colored accessories and decorations. If the walls are light-colored, opt for light-colored curtains and avoid hanging flags or other vibrant decorations.
- If you want to focus on a particular area of the house, consider the southwest-facing side. This direction gets more sunlight, and ladybugs are generally attracted to sunny spots.
Identifying Asian Ladybugs and Staying Safe
Look for uneven spots and a white M-shaped mark to identify Asian ladybugs. While regular ladybugs are red, Asian ladybugs can be orange, yellow, or even dark red, often with a distinct M-shaped mark on their heads. Additionally, regular ladybugs have uniform spots, whereas Asian ladybugs have spots of varying shapes – some may even lack spots entirely!
- If a ladybug enters your home, it’s likely an Asian ladybug. Regular ladybugs usually avoid homes, while Asian ladybugs seek shelter indoors when the weather cools.
- Asian ladybugs are also known as Asian beetles or multicolored lady beetles.
Avoid crushing ladybugs inside your home to prevent bad odors. Try not to crush any ladybugs you see inside your house. First, they will only bite if they feel threatened. Second, crushing them releases a foul odor and can stain surfaces. Even though it might be tempting, resist the urge to step on the ladybugs wandering through your home.
- It’s important to remember that ladybugs aren’t intentionally coming into your home. They’re simply lost and will leave once they’re taken outside!
Wear a mask, gloves, and long sleeves to prevent allergic reactions. These bugs release pheromones that can trigger allergies. If you come into close contact with an Asian ladybug, make sure to wear a mask and long sleeves. Generally harmless, these insects can bite when frightened and will release a very unpleasant pheromone when disturbed. Some people are allergic to this substance, so protective gear is recommended for safety!
- Most people are simply bothered by the odor of ladybugs. Allergic reactions are rare and usually not serious (typically skin or sinus irritation), but it’s better to be cautious!
- The bite of a ladybug isn’t dangerous, though it might feel unsettling. Many describe it as a pinprick sensation. You can prevent bites by wearing long sleeves and gloves.
- Also, wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. These bugs can leave yellow stains, and you may need to wash your clothes if they rub against you.
Advice
- Asian ladybugs are attracted to light colors like white, light gray, and yellow. A house painted in light colors might draw them in. Consider repainting your home and covering any light-colored outdoor fixtures.
Warning
- There have been several online reports about dogs being poisoned after ingesting ladybugs. Unfortunately, this is true. A puppy eating one or two ladybugs might just experience stomach discomfort, but consuming too many can lead to poisoning. Take your dog to the vet if you see it chewing on a handful of ladybugs.
- You might be allergic to the pheromones released by ladybugs. Though usually not dangerous, you should see a doctor if you experience difficulty breathing or persistent symptoms.
- Most common insecticides aren’t effective against Asian ladybugs. In fact, they may only encourage the ladybugs to release more pheromones, so be sure to check the ingredients in any product to ensure it works. Products containing pyrethrins or pyrethroids (tetramethrin or resmethrin) are typically effective.
