does anyone have any tried and true ways to get rid of ladybugs once they are inside?

Answer 1

Studies at some leading universities have found the best way to control them is to get three tubes of caulk and a caulk gun and go around the house and fill every crack and hole you can find, especially on the south and west sides. It's a lot of work but these Asian ladybugs get between the outer wall of the house and the inner wall. If they find a hole in the inner wall, well, then they are in your house.

Once there the best control is a vacuum. If you have a lot of them try to use a vacuum with a disposable bag because they smell when the vacuum beats them up. It takes a fairly strong insecticide (as mentioned below) to kill them that way, and neither are registered for indoor use. Universities say "Vacuum."

The beauty of caulk is it works for years and it keeps out a lot of other pests like spiders, ants, millipedes, etc.

You other option is to get a hose-end sprayer and spray the sides of your house with malathion or sevin. This will kill most of them before they can get between the walls. The downside is you have to do it every year. The first year may be an emergency and your only option but do you really want to have to spray your house every year? And who wants to live in a house coated with pesticide?

Go for the caulk. I did it and I had exactly 3 of them show up in my house all last autumn and winter.

Answer 2

slice an apple,
Put in on a tray you can throw away,
They will be attracted to the apple,
after a few hours, just toss it.

( I've not tried this, but this is what I hear is the best)

Answer 3

Insect fogger. I have not tried it.