Ladybug Control Methods

Asian ladybugs spend a most of their lives eating in trees. In the later Fall months, when it starts it’s migration, it flies way above the tops of trees until it finds a clustering area below.

Ladybugs are often attracted to light-colored buildings and especially to walls that get a lot of sunlight. Because of this, ladybugs usually choose the Southwest sides of light-colored buildings close to areas populated with trees. Dark colors or shaded buildings are not as likely to attract ladybugs. Upon settling on a suitable site, the ladybugs release a chemical cue which causes more ladybugs to gather in the area.

The Good and Bad

The good news is that when ladybugs invade a home, they’re typically only a “pest by their presence.” They do not eat or damage anything in the household itself. They do not bite humans or pets. Nor do they enter stored food and or wreck furniture. Their presence is more of a nuisance than anything else. After spending the winter months hiding in a wall crease or other hidden place, they have actually forgotten how they got there. When they are more active in the late Winter, they often find themselves inside a house instead of outside. At this time they are simply trying to locate a way to get outside.
The correct thing to do is to help them by collecting them and releasing them outside. Vacuuming may work as well when there are many of them; but be sure to empty the bag outside because live ladybugs can sometimes escape a vacuum left in the indoors.

The bad news is that ladybugs usually don’t all become active at the exact same time. This rejuvenating will take place over a few months, depending on the outdoor temperature and the overall size of the ladybug clusters. Removing those which are active everyday can become a real hassle, especially where clusters are big. It may feel like there’s a never ending ladybug infestation or that they are reproducing in the house. But be aware that they are not able to breed inside an actual structure or house.

Chemicals may be utilized to aid people in removing ladybugs. Chemical sprays or fogs designed for indoor usage will kill ladybugs. However, the ladybug carcasses will need to be disposed of. This task can be almost as painstaking as getting rid of the live ladybugs. If ladybug infestations are inside wall crevices, ceilings or other hard-to-access places, chemical control may prove rather difficult. Often times, chemicals used inside the house will not penetrate these or other tight dwelling areas.

Ladybugs in a house will only expire once they become active, enter the dwelling areas and make contact with the chemical. Usually, a combination of several control methods is recommended. Actually disposing of the ladybugs as described above with a vacuum cleaner or sweeping them out is recommended. Caulking cracks and around other openings, filling cracks, fixing broken screens and doorways, in the home’s foundation or roofing as well as similar protection-type methods will help prevent the ladybugs from entering the home at all.

Can ladybugs damage your garden?

Absolutely not. Ladybugs actually provide gardeners with a great service by eliminating aphid infestations that can cause a problem to plants and produce. However many homeowners and gardeners are unaware of the benefits of the ladybug’s appetite. For most individuals the trouble is simply with the idea that there are massive amounts of bugs crawling around their flowers, plants and home. This feels like an invasion because bugs inside the home are considered bad form by most.

On the other hand there are some gardeners will actually buy ladybugs to control aphids. They will order the small winged critters and introduce them to an unsuspecting and overproducing aphid population.

But what if I want to get rid of ladybugs? How do I do it?

The easiest way to get rid of ladybugs is to control the aphid population in your flower or vegetable gardens. You’ll notice I didn’t immediately say, “Kill the ladybugs”.

If you want to control these little beetles you can place plants that discourage aphids from venturing into the garden such as radish, onions and petunias. A shot of garlic spray will also chase aphids away. You might also try a yellow pot filled with a little bit of water. For some reason aphids hate the color yellow.

What If I want something stronger?

You can always choose something more commercial strength. There are potent pesticides designed for treating aphids as well. An exterminator can be called on to help in the area of control.

There will always be plenty of aphids for ladybugs to feed on. If you don’t want ladybugs in your garden or home make it less attractive to the aphids.