House guests already arriving around your place in what appears to be a ladybug infestation?
Local Pest Control Expert Ethan Adcock said they are actually Asian Lady Beetles. Adcock said he has received a lot of calls this year with people concerned.
“When it starts getting colder, they look for warmth,” Adcock said. “That’s why we usually see them on certain sides of our homes or our buildings, because that’s the warmer side, and then they are trying to get in to overwinter in a safer place.”
Adcock said lady beetles are not harmful to your house like other pests, but they are annoying due to how many can be inside your home. Adcock said to seal up cracks around windows and doors, as it is important to keep more from coming in.
“Well, you know there’s gonna be a bunch of them,” Adcock said. “And so it can get out of hand quick. They do have a bad smell if you step on them or smoosh them, so that can be bad. They can leave stains, so obviously that’s not good on your furniture or your clothes.”
If you have a lady beetle infestation, Adcock said the best way to get rid of them is by using a vacuum.
“That way, you are not smooshing them, they are not smelling, that gets rid of them,” Adcock said. “Sweeping them up, cause a lot of times they will get inside, and they will die pretty easily once they get inside. So sweeping them up, sealing everything, preventing them, and then also spray application is always good.”
Adcock said lady beetles are tough to remove all of them as they can fly, and it can be very easy to miss them.
Adcock said the lady beetles will not be in the region much longer, as they will leave for warmer weather in December.