When you think of household pests, the common images that might pop into your mind may be mice, rats, ants, roaches, etc. Nobody thinks about a ladybug when referring to pests. In fact, many people find them cute to look at with their black polka dots on their red bodies. With over 500 species of them present in the US, ladybugs are not uncommon in American homes.
While these pests are useful for farmers and gardeners, they can become a nuisance for homeowners- particularly the Asian Lady Beetle. Having a few of them in your garden may be okay, but you do not want thousands of ladybugs forming an infestation in your house. More information on pest control of ladybugs can be found in the following blog.
Are ladybugs harmful to humans?
Ladybugs do not cause harm to humans. However, they do release a certain obnoxious fluid from their bodies when they feel threatened or frightened. The odor from the fluid combined with their bright red body color helps them to prevent predators in the wild. That is why they have great survival skills. In large numbers, they can become a nuisance in the house.
The secretions from their bodies can stain walls, upholstery, and rugs. If you are allergic to ladybugs, you may develop hay fever or skin reactions from an infestation.
How will you know if you have a ladybug infestation?
- You may notice an increasing number of ladybugs in and around the house. If you see one, it is likely that there are a hundred more hiding somewhere.
- They usually come around the fall and late summer and are apparent on warm winter days.
- Ladybugs release odors to attract other ladybugs, and this smell can travel up to 0.4 kilometers. If the smell is strong, there are probably many ladybugs in the house.
How do ladybugs get inside the house?
Ladybugs find human homes appealing for the reasons other pests do- shelter and food. Since they are tinier than other small pests, they can get inside through even the smallest of openings and gaps. Here are some common entries for ladybugs:
- Damaged screens.
- Open vents.
- Gaps beneath the door or between the doorframe.
- Cracks in the wall, siding, or roof tiles.
Steps to remove ladybugs from your property.
Here are some things you can do to remove ladybugs from your house:
- Seal all entry points. Professionals recommend winterizing your home by fitting screens on doors and windows.
- You can use natural ladybug repellants to drive them away. Some smells they do not like are chrysanthemum flowers.
- Since ladybugs are very small, you can use a vacuum cleaner to trap them. Since the machine has strong power, it won’t be able to fly away.
