I came home from work today and to my surprise there were hundreds, maybe thousands of lady bugs climbing all over my house. Then I walked inside and they're all over the inside too! How did they get in and why did they pick my house?
2006-10-18 10:07:47 · 12 answers · asked by winthorpello 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
What you are seeing are Japanese Ladybugs. My parents picked up a swarm last winter and I researched them then. The worst side effect is that if the beetle gets crushed or dies, they will smell *awful*. Generally speaking, Japanese ladybugs are not used for gardening purposes because they do seek to winter in people's homes. Do not use pesticides or kill them. Even though they are pests now, they are more useful for killing even worse pests. Here is some advice that I've found on how to get them out of your house:
Getting them off the ceiling
To attract them to a certain area inside, place slices of fresh apple in infested areas. This usually will bring many of them down from ceilings and walls. Replace with fresh slices every 4-7 days, or whenever needed. Other folks have found that by leaving one light on in the house that the lady beetles will eventually congregate to that area.
Vacuuming them Up
You can vacuum them up with a wet/dry vac by placing a towel or wadded-up paper in the bottom of the collection canister to break the beetles' fall. You can also use a Dust-Buster or sweep them up with a dust pan and wisk-broom. Please keep in mind that if the beetles are crushed a rather noxious smell will result, so it is best to relocate them rather than kill them.
Moving them Outdoors
Now gently shake them into a bag, box or jar and release them outside ASAP, away from the home, by lightly shaking them onto a protected place on the ground or into high grass and/or weeds. You can also store them in your refrigerator (The cold sends them into Diapause, or insect-hibernation) to keep until Spring, then release them in your garden for pest insect control.
2006-10-18 10:29:32 · answer #1 · answered by lordursus 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Actually they are Aisian Lady Beetles. They were brought here to eat soybean aphids. They are driven out of the fields during harvest time and are looking for a place that is warm and protected. Normally you will find them on the sunny side of the house. You can buy a product from Earl May stores called Household Insect Control. It kills them on contact, stops them from getting in and is not harmful to pets. Inside use a vacuum to suck them up and throw em outside. They can get in small openings very easy and also can get in through attic vents.
2006-10-18 10:21:21 · answer #2 · answered by Bmod98 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
About 2 months ago I read about these ladybugs. They are not originally from the USA. They either came in on fruit or a ship passing through our shipping systems. Our St Law. River is polluted with zebra muscles that came from the bilge of a ship. Just keep sucking them up with a vacuum cleaner and maybe we will win the battle of getting rid of them.
2006-10-18 10:35:09 · answer #3 · answered by I had pop3 before buying yahoo 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They started years ago at my house. My mother found the easy solution. They hate HATE camphor. Camphor is not poisonous or toxic to humans or the environment. Smells like vicks vapor rub. The camphor she used was a solid state. Break into small pieces, dime sized is fine, and put them in old nylon pouches. Hang them to the inside of each window, usually on a latch or something. This will repel them very well. I cannot detect it from more than a foot away or so. Works great.
2016-05-22 00:24:12 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't be so upset about this. I have heard that ladybugs bring lots of good luck. So if i were you I would think of it as a sign!! Maybe something good will happen to you that you really need in your life.
2006-10-18 10:17:01 · answer #5 · answered by Alisha C 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
they are probably asian beetles, not ladybugs. I believe that they migrated here from ships years ago. And, surely, it is because of the change of season. If you're not careful, they will be in your house all winter long. They bite too.
2006-10-18 10:21:35 · answer #6 · answered by geekinjeeper 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The same exact thing happened to me today. I guess they all grew up and learned to fly. Fall is lady bug season.
2006-10-18 10:15:21 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I heard light colored houses attract ladybugs. We have alot of them also. I think it also depends where you live. Suck them up with a vacuum cleaner. We do.
2006-10-18 10:18:30 · answer #8 · answered by 0000000 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Holy sh*t that would be weird!
I have seen ladybugs congregate like that before and I have no idea why it happens. It's totally creepy though.
2006-10-18 10:11:25 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you live near a farm, it's a good chance that the farmer purchased them to breed and kill pests on his property....they will find other places to live, such as your home.
2006-10-18 10:11:26 · answer #10 · answered by voandginger 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋