Ladybird Invasion?

Question

Hi, I wonder if anyone could shed some light on this.

I had to do a building inspection at a hostel for work today in Ealing, London and they were having a major problem with ladybirds.

On opening one window fully, at least a hundred ladybirds were nesled in the seam between window and frame.

This wasn't the first room to be affected. They had been having problems with ladybirds coming through the open windows and actually inflicting bites on residents!

The ladybirds themselves did not look like the classic ones I remember when I was a kid - some were black with red spots, some were red with large black/yellow spots, some were red with lots of tiny black spots.

I haven't experienced this ladybird invasion in SE London/Kent where I live but apparently colleagues in Croydon and other London areas have.

Can any one shed any light on this 'invasion' and why it is happening this time of year? It seems so unusual!

Many thanks.

Axeton_W - in answer to your derogratory comments I was focusing on my job you dimwit, I was doing a health and safety inspection and any invasion albeit rats, mice, cockroaches and ladybirds are my business - especially when they are biting the residents.

Answer 1

First about ladybird beetles. They hibernate in winter. They look for a dry place(usually in leaf litter or cavities in old trees) where they can keep dry all winter(if they get wet a fungus grows on them and they die). Buildings offer a good place for them. You can move them away, kill them(soap and water in a spray bottle works) or you can build a overwintering place for them away from the building. Dry and sheltered from the wind is what they want. They will become active on warm days so don't put it too close to the building or they may relocate back.

Second. There are some insects that resemble ladybird beetles in the US. I don't know if this is also the case in England. The Harlequin bug is one which has a lot of variation in its color patterns. These are agriculture pests and if you can identify them at one of the insect sites, I would eliminate them. Other insect that aggregate in winter like the ladybird can be treated in the same manner.

Whatsthatbug.com
bugguide.net

Answer 2

there are several beetles that look similar to ladybird beetles. But bottom like is they are looking for warm places to over winter.
you need to have an exterminator spray and kill them as well as check and seal/caulk all cracks before winter sets in.
good luck

Answer 3

Because it is still so mild - they have survived longer and only now are looking for places to 'nest' for want of a better term, for the winter and lay eggs

Answer 4

they're incredibly valuable bugs Lavender as they consume each and every of the aphids interior the backyard which wreck the roses and different flora. in line with possibility you ought to brush them gently right into a field and placed them on your back backyard the place they're going to do solid. we would desire to maintain those solid bugs as they're quickly starting to be extinct. solid success!

Answer 5

focus on you work i have them in my kitchen they annoying but i don't post annoying questions to add to the drama do i