Identification

The difference between ladybugs and termites

Perhaps the best way to think of this is that while you may consider ladybugs to be pests they actually provide a beneficial service. While termites undermine your foundation and quietly destroy, a ladybug works to destroy a destroyer (aphids) without harming anything around them. Don’t get me wrong aphids cannot destroy your home, but they can damage the things you want to grow outside.

When is a ladybug not a ladybug?

When it is an Asian beetle. You may be surprised to learn that Asian beetles look almost identical to ladybugs. They also love to hang out inside your home. In fact some infestations have numbered in the thousands. It can seem like the more you destroy the beetles the more show up. The Asian beetle can emit an unpleasant odor as a defense mechanism and they leave stains from emitting the “scent”. It is possible to see infestations of 10,000 or more, and because the beetles are small they can live inside the walls and in the attic of your home. Many who have experienced these infestations claim to experience sinus problems and even allergic reactions.

How can I tell the difference?

You may need the help of a professional. The biggest difference is that the Asian beetle is slightly larger than the traditional ladybug and has varying numbers of spots. Some may have no spots and others may have as many as nineteen. They gravitate toward homes that are white in color and find it very easy to locate a way into your home.

So ladybugs are good and Asian beetles are bad, right?

Well, yes and no. In both cases they will feed on aphids so that’s the good news. The bad news is that while both beetles can infest a home the Asian beetle is the worst offender and can be difficult to eradicate without help. In both cases it can be frustrating to find a small beetle crawling in your food or falling into your glass of iced tea. You can try glue traps and gathering beetles into a container for disposal, but a professional pest control firm can work to eliminate the infestation and allow you to reclaim your home without the beetles present. It is possible to use a vacuum cleaner hose to remove the beetles you see, but that doesn’t take care of continuing problems in your attic and walls. You can also place a bowl with water, a hint of vinegar and some dish soap.

While the beetles may be attracted to it the end result may be like trying to place a bad-aid on a large open wound - you feel as if you’ve done something, but there’s always a larger problem looming. In some respects it may not really matter if it is ladybugs or Asian beetles in your home.

If you find them a nuisance then seeking help may be the best way to ensure peace of mind. You will feel more comfortable and may have greater health benefits by simply working to keep these beetles outdoors where they can do the most good.