Quck answer
Asian beetles, also known as ladybugs, can be a nuisance when they invade your house. To get rid of them, you can follow these steps:
1. Seal all cracks and gaps: Inspect your house for any openings where the beetles may enter. Use caulk or weatherstripping to seal these gaps.
2. Vacuum them up: Use a vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment to suck up the beetles. Empty the vacuum bag immediately to prevent them from escaping.
3. Use insecticides: If the infestation is severe, you can use insecticides specifically designed for Asian beetles. Follow the instructions carefully and apply the insecticide in areas where the beetles are present.
4. Remove attractants: Asian beetles are attracted to light-colored surfaces and warmth. Keep your curtains closed and turn off unnecessary lights to deter them.
5. Consult a professional: If the infestation persists, it is best to seek help from a pest control professional who can provide effective and safe methods to eliminate the beetles from your house.
By following these steps, you can effectively get rid of Asian beetles and enjoy a beetle-free home.
There is an old saying that advises against killing ladybugs because they bring good luck. However, if you have ever encountered an Asian lady beetle, you know that they can be extremely bothersome. While these beetles may appear cute, you certainly do not want them hibernating in your house during the winter. If they have taken up residence in your home, they can be considered pests, but there are methods to remove them.
Asian Lady Beetles
Adult Asian lady beetles typically have an oval shape and measure approximately a quarter-inch in length. These beetles come in various colors, such as tan, orange, and red, and they have multiple black spots on their wing covers. Although the presence of black spots is a common characteristic of these beetles, some may have very few spots or none at all. While most Asian lady beetles do not bite, they release a foul-smelling, yellow liquid from their leg joints when they feel threatened.
You can differentiate between male and female beetles by observing their spots. Male beetles usually have few to no spots, while females tend to have multiple spots. Asian lady beetles lay yellow, oval-shaped eggs in clusters. These clusters can be found on the undersides of leaves, and they hatch into orange and black larvae.
In their native Asian habitats, these beetles are commonly found in trees, particularly in forests or orchards. In Japan, they can be found in soybean fields. However, in the United States, they can be found in ornamental and agricultural crops, such as roses, corn, soybeans, alfalfa, and tobacco.
Origins of Asian Lady Beetles
Scientifically known as Harmonia axyridis, Asian lady beetles were first reported in the early 1900s. As their name suggests, they are native to Asia and can be found in China, Russia, Korea, and Japan. These beetles typically inhabit trees and fields, and they feed on aphids (small insects that suck sap from plants and cause significant damage to crops) and scale insects.
From the 1960s to the 1990s, the U.S. Department of Agriculture introduced large numbers of Asian lady beetles in Georgia, South Carolina, Louisiana, Mississippi, California, Washington, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Maryland to control crop damage, particularly in pecan and apple trees.
Infestation of Asian Lady Beetles
If Asian lady beetles have invaded your home, it can be challenging to get rid of them. Although there are various methods to eliminate them, the simplest approach is to use a vacuum cleaner, even if they are inside your house.
During late fall, these beetles tend to gather in large numbers and disperse over the winter. They cluster on the sides of buildings and homes and find their way inside through small cracks, crevices, natural breaks in window panes, door jambs, or foundations. They seek out places to spend the winter and remain in hibernation until the first warm days of late winter or early spring.
Asian lady beetles are attracted to houses and buildings that are lighter in color. The reason for this is that they prefer places that are illuminated by the sun. As a result, you will typically find them gathering on the south or southwest side of a structure.
Asian Beetle Spray
The key to eliminating Asian lady beetles is prevention through the use of spraying. By using a fast-acting synthetic spray, you can prevent these beetles from forming clusters or entering your home during the fall.
In order to effectively prevent infestation, it is important to spray the south and southwest exposure of your house or building in the fall and spring. Once the beetles have already found their way into your home, it becomes difficult to remove them.
Natural Ways to Remove Beetles
If you prefer not to use a synthetic spray, there are natural steps you can take to prevent Asian lady beetles from infesting your home. Since these beetles tend to come to your house in the fall, closer to winter, it is essential to winterize your home.
Ensure that all doors and windows are properly sealed, and consider caulking your windows and replacing weather stripping to make it more difficult for the beetles to enter your home.
Additionally, it is important to act quickly when you notice the first signs of these bugs. Asian lady beetles can reproduce rapidly because they have effective communication and are attracted to each other’s scents.
Gardening and Asian Lady Beetles
A simple way to get rid of Asian lady beetles is to enhance your gardening practices, as these beetles feed on aphids. By starting a garden, you can attract them to that area and deter them from entering your home. Another option is to use Diatomaceous Earth (DE) around the perimeter of your home to repel Asian lady beetles.
What Are Multicolored Asian Lady Beetles?
Unlike other types of lady beetles, the multicolored Asian lady beetle may bite, so it is important to be cautious around them. While ladybugs generally prefer not to bite humans, they have sharp mouths. However, they often release a foul odor to scare away predators instead of resorting to biting. These lady beetles can be identified by the “M-shaped” marking behind their heads.
Ladybugs are not poisonous or dangerous, and they cannot transmit parasites or diseases. If they do bite, it will only cause a raised red bump. Although they have sharp mouths, they rarely manage to break through the skin when biting.
