Though ladybugs are often considered to bring good luck, and are harmless little insects. However, the problem arises when too many of them invade your home. They infest your home, may even bite you, and if not controlled properly, they can reproduce fast and overwhelm your home with their offspring.
These insects are also known as lady beetles or ladybird beetles, and are known for their role as beneficial insects. However, some homeowners may also be allergic to them. Hence, it is recommended to take early action against these bugs. This blog covers key points about ladybugs and how to get rid of them.
What Do Ladybugs Look Like?
Before you set out to eliminate them from your space, it is important to understand what ladybugs look like. They almost look like Asian lady beetles, but they are bright red with 11 back dots. The Asian lady beetles are orange and yellow with 19 spots on their back, and have an “M” marking on their head, while ladybugs don’t have it.
Ladybugs may also look like other common garden insects, such as Mexican bean beetles and Japanese beetles. However, if you look closely and see no spots, understand that they are Japanese beetles, whereas Mexican bean beetles do have tiny spots like the ladybugs.
What Are the Signs of Ladybug Infestation?
Finding one or two ladybugs in your home is normal. However, if you see dozens of them all over your home, that’s called an infestation. If you suspect these insects are invading your home, look for signs to confirm their presence -
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Strong Smell: If you have a ladybug infestation, you might experience a weird smell that is caused due to hemolymph. It is a yellowish liquid released by the bugs, which has a metallic or acidic smell.
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Yellow Stains: Liquid hemolymph can stain walls, curtains, windows, and furniture, especially on sunlit surfaces such as south-facing walls.
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Increased Indoor Activity: If you notice ladybugs moving in your home, especially around late winter or early spring, know that they must be hibernating somewhere in your home.
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Clusters Near Entry Points: If you see a bunch of ladybugs gathering near entry points, such as windows, door frames, attic spaces, etc., they must have been entering the house via these sources.
If you see two or more signs of infestation, take immediate action to get rid of these bugs as early as possible.
Why Do Ladybugs Enter the Home?
Ladybugs usually take shelter inside your home to weather the winter. They also emit pheromone trails to attract other bugs and hide in dark, warm, protected areas to lay eggs in the fall before winter arrives.
But how do they enter the home? Well, they usually enter through cracks and openings, especially near windows, under doors, in basements, through cracked roofs, and along drainage pipes. They might also enter the home through a houseplant you recently brought inside from the porch in the fall.
How to Remove Ladybugs From the Home?
Here are some effective ways to get rid of ladybugs from your home -
Use Natural Repellents
The best way to get rid of ladybugs is to use natural repellents, such as citrus oil, citronella, clove oil, and lavender oil. They are known for their strong smell that ladybugs don’t like. All you need to do is mix a few drops of citrus or another oil with water in a spray bottle, then apply it to potential entry points and areas of infestation.
You can also place bay leaves and cloves in the corners and crannies of your home. The best thing to do is make small bay leaf pouches and keep them in places where you might suspect infestation. You can also place pouches of whole cloves, too, in the infested areas.
Chemical Repellents & Insecticides
You can use ladybug sprays available in the market to prevent them from entering your home and lingering. In addition, multi-insect traps can also capture ladybugs and remove them efficiently.
Winterize Your Home
Experts advise winterizing your home in order to prevent ladybugs from entering. Add adequate weatherstripping and tight-fitting window screens. Also, caulk and seal any potential openings that may allow ladybugs to enter the home. Ensure this is done before the fall season, when the weather starts cooling.
Remove Them Using Physical Methods
There are several physical methods for getting rid of ladybugs. Some of them are -
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Sweeping and Vacuuming: Sweep the ladybugs into the dustpan or vacuum them. Empty the pan and vacuum bag outside to remove the bugs. Also, clean the area with soap to erase the pheromone released by these bugs, which attracts other bugs.
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Duct Tape Trick: You can either leave the strips of duct tape or wrap them around your hand to collect the bugs and throw them out.
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Light Trap: They are readily available in the market with blue and UV light. However, if you want to make it at home, you only need an LED light and a plastic bottle. Ladybugs are attracted to light, and once they get trapped in the bottle, you can throw them out.
Use Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous Earth can help kill ladybugs and also get rid of other insect problems. Food-grade diatomaceous earth is non-toxic and safe for humans and pets, and can be used effectively to combat ladybug problems. You can sprinkle the powder around your home and potential entry points to create a barrier that prevents bugs from entering.
Use Dish Soap
A mixture of dish soap and water can also help kill ladybugs and is considered one of the most effective and eco-friendly methods for getting rid of them. The soap creates a thin film that suffocates bugs upon contact. You can make the mixture and spray wherever they accumulate.
Are Ladybugs Beneficial?
Ladybugs, if they enter your home, can leave yellowish stains on walls, rugs, upholstery, and furniture due to their secretions. Some people are even allergic to these insects, as they may cause hay fever or skin reactions.
Though they are considered a nuisance, they are quite beneficial in the garden. They serve as natural pest control, preying on aphids and other harmful insects that may damage crops and plants.
Conclusion
There are several ways to get rid of ladybugs, and the ones mentioned above are considered the most efficient. But if you identify an infestation, be sure to call a professional to ensure that these insects are eliminated once and for all.