LADYBUGS CONTROL

Ladybugs are also known as lady beetles or ladybird beetles. These are round insects and are 1/31 – 3/8 inches in size, with 6 legs and two antennae. Ladybugs are typically red or orange with black polka dots; their coloring and pattern are a biological form of defense with the purpose of deterring predators, indicating that they don’t taste good. There are over 450 species of ladybugs in North America.

Not sure if you have a ladybug problem? Or maybe you want to learn more about how ladybug control works. Check out the following information to clarify some questions you may have.

Should I be concerned about ladybugs?

Most ladybugs species are helpful natural garden pest exterminators since they are predatory insects. They tend to stay outside when the temperature drops. Asian lady beetles, however; are over winter bugs. As overwinter pests, the Asian lady beetle will hideout when temperatures drop and reemerge in the spring. They tend to amass on windows, lights, and other areas with warmth and light, making them a nuisance to homeowners. Besides, Asian lady beetles are a bit more aggressive and can even bite.

Ladybugs are not known to carry diseases. However, if there’s a large infestation, it may trigger allergic reactions. The symptoms become evident when you get in contact with the ladybugs.

Signs of a ladybugs’ infestation

As mentioned before Asian lady beetles are over winter bugs and they usually cluster inside properties in the colder months. Seeing one or two ladybugs within your home may not be cause for concern, but there have been some cases in which a sheer number of ladybugs have infested a property. We have listed some signs you can check for to identify a ladybug infestation:

Large amounts of ladybugs congregated in areas like ceilings, siding cracks and crevices, behind walls, building foundations, windowpanes, and door jams.
Yellow stains and pungent scents on your walls, clothes, and floorboards. The stains are from a secretion of their blood and also have a distinct anxious odor.
Large numbers of larvae on your plants and in your outdoor spaces.

Why do I have ladybugs on my property?

The most common time of the year that a ladybug is likely to seek out shelter within a home will be during the winter once temperatures drop. Ladybugs will find a cozy place out of sight to hibernate until early spring. The awakening period for ladybugs can last for weeks depending on the size of the infestation and the current weather conditions.

A number of ladybug species feed on pollen to help store energy during winter hibernation, if your home has a lot of flowering plants, they may be attracted to them. Besides, ladybugs leave scent trails that attract more ladybugs. Another factor that can cause infestations are openings that allow the beetles to crawl through. This could include foundation cracks, broken window screens, eaves, and siding crevices.

Can I get rid of ladybugs myself?

Even though ladybugs are harmless, you don’t really want them swarming in your home. There are some options to get rid of them by yourself you could try.

Diatomaceous Earth, soft sedimentary earth that’s a type of silica and is used as a natural pesticide. It will cause ladybugs to dry out and die.
If the nest is in a visible area you can vacuum the ladybugs and empty the vacuum bag away from your home. Afterward, clean off the area where the ladybugs gathered to eliminate the scent trails left behind to attract more ladybugs.
When the infestation has grown out of control you can try using dish soap. Spray the nest with soapy water or leave a bowl that combines soap and water near a light source where they gather. The thickness of the soap keeps the ladybugs from leaving the water easily.

Tips to prevent a ladybugs’ infestation

It is always easier to prevent an infestation than to control it. The following are some tips you can use in order to prevent ladybugs from infesting your property:

Use citronella or citrus oil, these oils can remove ladybugs’ scent from your home, preventing more ladybugs from coming into your home.
Seal all entries; check for any entryways and seal them up to prevent insects from getting inside.
Trimming your yard and doing regular maintenance to your plants can prevent a ladybug infestation since they are attracted to overgrown areas.
Plant mums around your home or place them in vases inside. Ladybugs particularly hate this plant and the smell of them will repel ladybugs from your home.
Keep lights off at night, like many insects, lady beetles are drawn to light. If you need to have a light on the outside, use motion sensor lights and a bulb that won’t give off too much heat.

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WHAT WILL WE DO?

Our ladybug control process typically consists of the following stages:

Confirm or discard the existence of ladybugs in your home through an inspection.
Identify the factors that may be causing and contributing to the infestation.
Offer pest control programs to get the problem under control.
Treat the existing population and prevent future infestations