Help! Ladybugs are emerging inside my house! What to do?

[Radio_Lady]

Entomologists and gardeners, please comment ASAP --

I've had this -- hate to say it -- infestation for several springtimes -- since we built this house.

The labybugs I can pick up off the carpet or on window sills, I've put outside (although it is March and we still have frequent low temps).

Any other real suggestions?



Happy if you can help!

Warm regards,

Radio Lady

[AllegroRondo]

1. If you know where they are getting in

wash the area with peppermint soap. Insects hate peppermint, its a natual repellant.

Also works on ants!

[Radio_Lady]

4. I have no idea where they are getting in. I have found them in most rooms.

Peppermint soap, huh? How about melting a peppermint candy in soapy water?

Thanks for the hint!

[AllegroRondo]

6. dont use candy.

insects are attracted to the sugar.

you might be able to use peppermint extract mixed with soap.

[Radio_Lady]

8. Yes, I know. Grew up in Florida.... so I was just kidding!

Peppermint extract! Good idea! Thanks a bunch!

[Gormy Cuss]

11. Get a bottle of Dr. Bronner's liquid peppermint soap.

Easy to use. I discourage ants with it.

[Radio_Lady]

19. Good idea. I'll look for it at the Portland Food Coop store, I'm sure they have it.

Thanks.

We have only a few ants and no mosquitos and no roaches.

[commander bunnypants]

2. I found one today also.

It is considered good luck

CB

[Radio_Lady]

5. I don't want to kill them, or the small spiders either.

We do find some earwigs later in the season.

Hey, the insects have owned this land for millions of years. We're just renting the space from them!

In peace,

Radio Lady

[AlienGirl]

3. Put out some marshmallows and give them some coffee with lots of sugar

They really like to drink drops of coffee. If you just wait, they'll all climb up to the ceiling and become a cheerful, ever-changing decorative element in your home until the weather gets warm, then they'll go outside and eat aphids.

Tucker

[Radio_Lady]

7. Would do all you suggested, but hubby would get to the coffee and marshmallows first...

That's a new topic:

"Decorating With Ladybugs"

[AlienGirl]

15. My parents' house is full of them every winter!

They just look so cheerful and cute! I look forward to seeing them whenever I visit. I tried to get some started in my apartment, but no luck. Yes, they are the Asian Lady Beetle kind, but I don't consider them "pests."

Tucker

[petronius]

9. Use a shop vac to suck them up, and release them outside?

This page had some info...

http://www.ladybuglady.com/infestation.htm

[Radio_Lady]

10. You are a great help, Petronius. Excellent web site... thanks for the information.

[noamnety]

12. They might be nonnative imposters.

http://ohioline.osu.edu/hse-fact/1030.html

"Home Invasion. Unlike our native species of lady beetles, the multicolored Asian lady beetle seeks protected hibernation (overwintering) sites in and around buildings. They may occur in any type of structure. Because these exotic lady beetles readily occur on trees, homes in forested areas are often infested. Multicolored Asian lady beetles often are pests in log homes, because they can slip through the cracks and crevices between the logs."

And vacuuming is the way to get rid of them. "Stains and Odor. When lady beetles are disturbed, they defend themselves by exuding a yellow-orange body fluid, which is their blood. This defense mechanism is termed reflex bleeding. The blood has a foul odor and can permanently stain walls, drapes, carpeting, etc. Thus, do not crush or swat lady beetles so as to minimize their defensive behavior."

[Radio_Lady]

20. Thanks, LWFern. I appreciate all this info. DUers are great!

I'm struggling to get ready for a 21 day trip to Hawaii. I'll probably need other insect information when we get to our timeshare properties in Maui and Oahu.

Busy, busy, busy... appreciate your post.

[noamnety]

23. The more I look at it, the more I'm convinced it's the imposter

False "eyes" -- twin white, football-shaped markings behind the head -- show this to be an Asian multicolored lady beetle, Harmonia axyridis.


http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/graphics/photos/apr99/k7033-14.htm

[AlienGirl]

33. They are, but they still eat aphids

[Radio_Lady]

39. THOSE ARE NOT PHOTOS of MY LADYBUGS... I didn't know they were imposters. I'll look more carefully.

I found that photo on the Internet.

After our vacation and when I have a chance, I'll post some photos of ours.

Thanks, folks.

[mike_c]

13. paint your house a dark color and plug all holes....

It's likely the multicolored Asian lady beetle Harmonia axyridis tht's causing the problem. They were introduced as biological controls in the gardening trade, but their effectiveness remains uncertain. There isn't any good answer to the aggregation problem, I'm afraid.

http://creatures.ifas.ufl.edu/beneficial/multicolored_asian_lady_beetle.htm

Status as an Overwintering Pest

Unfortunately, like many of our native ladybird species, H. axyridis adults aggregate in high numbers to overwinter. In Japan, H. axyridis overwinter en masse in rocky outcrops on the sides of mountains and in other structures similar to the behavior of the convergent lady beetle, Hippodamia convergens Guérin-Méneville, in the U.S. However, unlike other ladybirds in the U.S., H. axyridis is attracted to light colored dwellings and other manmade objects which it uses as overwintering sites. As a result of this behavior, H. axyridis enters dwellings it is attracted to through cracks, crevices and other small openings around windows, doors and roofs.

Flight to overwintering quarters is triggered by the onset of cold weather and scarcity of prey, occurs at different times from year to year, and occurs progressively later from northern to southern latitudes: October in Michigan and November-January in north Florida. These mass migrations to overwintering sites proceed over a period of a few days in the north to a few weeks or more in the southern United States, again dependent on local weather. During the overwintering phenomena, the ladybirds respond to and aggregate in large numbers on dwellings which usually are white, beige or tan, although occasionally darker colored buildings also are used. Usually these dwellings have walls facing in the general directions of south to west which in the fall months due to the sun's lower azimuth are highly reflective of sunlight. These bright reflective surfaces shine intensely and are visible and attractive to the ladybirds from long distances. This is especially true for areas of the United States and Canada which are hilly or mountainous, e.g., Tennessee and New York, where light colored dwellings in the mountains or higher elevations may be visible for miles.

As a result of this overwintering behavior, H. axyridis are a nuisance during and after the flight periods as they aggregate in the walls and other parts of dwellings. H. axyridis may enter houses in large numbers, 15,000 to 20,000 is not uncommon. Inside the walls, floors, attics, crawl spaces, etc., of dwellings, they crawl around looking for cool places to spend the winter. With large numbers of ladybirds, this annoying movement can be heard from inside the house. Moreover, the interior walls of the dwellings are often warmer than the ladybirds require for dormancy. Therefore, they continue to crawl around and often exit the dwelling walls into the interior over the course of the winter or in spring. Once in the warm interior, they fly around and land on walls, drapes, furniture, etc., causing much general annoyance to the human inhabitants. The ladybirds are of special consternation to inhabitants that are entomophobic (fear of insects). H. axyridis also produces a yellow viscous, foul-smelling defensive compound when it is disturbed that may soil whatever it contacts. Therefore, when people disturb them or try to remove them by sweeping, with vacuum cleaners or with other tools, the foul odor spoils the air and yellow spots on people, expensive furniture and drapes result.

This phenomenon of large aggregations of overwintering H. axyridis is all too common now across the United States and Canada. The ladybirds often return to the same buildings year after year. In addition to the problem for affected homeowners, the situation is a black eye on classical biological control, which in most cases is a highly touted and effective alternative to the use of chemical pesticides.


Management

Recommendations for protecting buildings from overwintering H. axyridis have not been fully developed. All buildings infested by these ladybirds should have any cracks, crevices or holes in the exterior walls and especially around windows and doors sealed or caulked to prevent entry. The ladybirds often enter attics and can accumulate in large numbers in these spaces over the years. Once the ladybirds are inside a building there are several options for removal. The best option is to purchase a black light trap and use it in rooms where ladybirds are observed as soon as they are seen. The light traps when operated at night are very effective.

Use of a vacuum cleaner or other cleaning tools that handle the beetles roughly, while effective, will result in production of the defensive compound by the ladybirds with its unwanted side effects as previously described. Despite their overwintering behavior, H. axyridis are very valuable as natural enemies of many insect pests and should be tolerated and conserved when possible.

[LynneSin]

14. BTW - ladybugs can detect the scent of other ladybugs for miles away

and if one bug found it's way it in, it's probably signalling others to join it - not kidding!

[Sequoia]

16. Invite them to a "ladybug picnic"

One two three
Four five six
Seven eight nine
Ten eleven twelve
Ladybugs
Came to the ladybugs' picnic

One two three
Four five six
Seven eight nine
Ten eleven twelve
And they all played games
At the ladybugs' picnic

They had twelve sacks so they ran sack races
And they fell on their backs and they fell on their faces
The ladybugs 12
At the ladybugs' picnic

They played jump rope but the rope it broke
So they just sat around telling knock-knock jokes
The ladybugs 12
At the ladybugs' picnic

One two three
Four five six
Seven eight nine
Ten eleven twelve
And they chatted away
At the ladybugs' picnic

They talked about the high price of furniture and rugs
And fire insurance for ladybugs
The ladybugs 12
At the ladybugs' picnic
12!

[GoddessOfGuinness]

31. That's one of my favorite Sesame Street songs!

:D :toast:

[Strawman]

17. Self replicating DVD's of bad Rodney Dangerfield movies in your house?

How awful!

[Radio_Lady]

51. I totally missed that movie both in theaters and on DVD. You've convinced me to never see it ever!

[Ladybug Dem]

18. Make them a martini

let them sing a little karaoke and they'll go
home to their families on Sunday!

[Radio_Lady]

49. Hi, Ladybug! Welcome to the DU! Nice to speak with you!

My husband doesn't like karaoke -- I've got to figure out a way to go without him!

Do you sing? I've been trying out for choir for about 60 years -- in my mind! Now, at 68, I'm not great, but I'm loud and have a strong alto voice. Maybe some day!

By the way, this is the perfect thread for you!

In peace,

Radio Lady in Oregon

[ileus]

21. Viper, kills 'em dead for up to 6 months.

[Radio_Lady]

50. Reminds me of a funny joke...

AN OLD MAN KNOCKS ON THE DOOR. AN OLD LADY OPENS THE DOOR...

Woman: Who are YOU?

Man: I am the viper...

Woman: (Cringing) What did you say?

Man: (Louder) I AM THE VIPER...

Woman: (Non-plussed) So?

Man: HAVE YOU ANY VINDOWS FOR ME TO VIPE?

(Funnier if read with some kind of a Polish, Ukranian or Russian accent...)

[Radio_Lady]

22. Thanks to everyone who responded! You folks are a wonderful resource...

Have a great spring!

In peace,

Radio Lady in Oregon

[Courtesy Flush]

24. LOL! Welcome to my world

We live in an old Victorian house. There's no keeping them out this time of year.

[PassingFair]

25. Japanese Beetles

Tora Tora Tora!

[sarge43]

53. Japanese Beetles?

No prisoners!!

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

26. Put your hair in pigtails with ribbons and sing a song

And dance a bit

[Radio_Lady]

40. OK, Chavez... maybe I'll send my granddaughter to do that!

[Lydia Leftcoast]

27. You know, I started to notice infestations of ladybugs in Portland

a few years ago (never before that), and I lived on the ninth floor of a high rise!

I have no idea what caused them, but they got in in amazing numbers, crawled behind things, and died, leaving me to find crunchy little carcasses all over the place.

[Radio_Lady]

38. We're in a relatively new home west of Portland at 500 ft. This used to be a strawberry field.

It was near the intersection of Scholl's Ferry Road and Murray Boulevard.

The house was built in 1997 and we occupied it in August 1998. The first ladybugs arrived in 2000.

However, we haven't had THAT many of them so far this year. But we are back to the same situation as last year with the skunks digging up our yard. There's a mile long thread about that in the archives.

After being on the 14th Floor in New York City for eight years, then moving into three other houses, I'm truly ready for condominium living. We took care of yards in Florida, Massachusetts (with a swimming pool) and now in Oregon.

The dazzling new Eliot high rise looks nice -- but we can't afford it. We really have to be on the west side near my daughter and son-in-law and the grandchildren. We've done some looking in Hillsboro. I'm afraid that would require a huge downsizing to squeeze into smaller digs.

Then, again, sometimes I wish I were a rancher living in Sisters or the Bend area with a horse of my own.

Stay tuned!

[meegbear]

28. Ladybugs can sense fear ...

be careful as they are prone to attack.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

29. No solution.

Have them in my house to.

I think one of my neighbors is releasing them into his garden, to fight aphids and such. They're sold in the mail apparently.

Of all the pests in my home, the ladybugs are the least of my concern.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

30. Enjoy them...

Let them outside to eat aphids. :)

[Radio_Lady]

41. When I catch them, I put them outside. The dead ones? I say a little prayer...

Is there a ladybug heaven?

[GoddessOfGuinness]

48. Yup...It's your rose garden

:D

[ashling]

32. Thank your lucky stars

that they have chosen to grace your home.
:)

[Critters2]

34. Won't your beagle eat 'em?

Mine does. After the cats play with 'em for a few hours. I never buy bug spray.

[Radio_Lady]

42. No, we don't have any dogs or cats. But my husband does catch them, too.

Don't let Bike Writer catch you talking about your cats...

[Critters2]

44. Understood

Bike Writer, ix-nay on the ats-cay. Gotcha!

[Radio_Lady]

45. R--I--G--H--T! Well, I get on a soapbox now and then about my pet subjects.

I'm a dog lover anyway and I did learn a lot about felines when I just casually mentioned the different birds around our home... and a calico cat who was eyeing them through the fence. We had two doves at our feeders today, and a huge variety of other little birds.

Here's my fantasy dog, from a photo on an old Ralph Lauren Paint catalog.



Good night to you and the critters....!

[Critters2]

46. Beautiful! Hope your dream comes true!

And good night to you and yours!

[Taverner]

35. Have my tot chase em down

She loves ladybugs - but I'd worry she'd eat them

[Radio_Lady]

43. Great activity for kids! I'm going to get a mayonnaise jar ready with a little leaf!

Gotta remember to punch holes in the top.

We used to catch chameleons, frogs, and grasshoppers when I was a little girl in the "wilds" of North Miami, Florida. We'd keep them for a couple of hours and then let them go.

I knew a girl from New Mexico who kept a tarantula spider as a pet in a terrarium in her apartment in New York City. Every six months or so, she had to get a new mouse from a local pet store. She never told the people at the pet store what she did with the mouse... (Wonder what ever happened to her? I can't recall her name.)

[Debi]

36. A few are cute - several hundred are yucky!

We have a 30 year-old home with pine ceilings and cathedral windows. They gather at the top of the windows and along the ledges. I just vacuum and dump them. :shrug: I did use clear caulk around the outside of the windows last winter and have seen a minor decline of them (less cracks to sneak through).

Although kind of icky, I'm no so bothered by the dead ones on my carpets (I have to vacuum frequently with two dogs and a kid in a wheelchair tracking whatnot throughout the house). But when they dive-bomb my coffee in the morning...that gets me steamed! :nuke:

:hi: good luck with the little buggers.

[doc03]

37. Those are not Lady bugs

they are Multi Colored Asian Lady Beatles. They will move outside when it warms up and won't reappear until Indian summer. I had to start getting my house sprayed for them in October or they are inside by the thousands all winter. They say seal holes up so they can't get in I find that just impossible. If you don't want to kill the damn things I suggest you move and leave someone else with the curse. I suggest making a deal to sell your house to your Repub brother-in-law or something.

[Radio_Lady]

47. Hey, Doc03, that picture was chosen at random from Google images.

The photos in my OP are not the bugs from my house.

I don't have a Republican brother-in-law and I'm not selling my house.

I haven't had any curse for years! My husband might spray outside, but we're going to Hawaii, so I'm packing up all my cares and woes and getting on an airplane within days.

Otherwise, you're right on the money and I'm glad you're enjoying the DU Lounge tonight! Same here.

Thanks for posting, in fun....

Radio Lady in Oregon

[Radio_Lady]

52. "Honey, is it good for you?" (PHOTO)