Pest Identification And Information

Ladybugs and Lady Beetles

OVERVIEW:

Ladybugs or Lady Beetles seldom warranted a call to Pest Management Professionals, but between 1978 and 1982, multiple batches of the Asian Lady Beetle were released in various parts of the country, often to control aphids, like soybean aphids. Of course, whenever scientists try to do something good - using a pest to control another pest, it follows the law of unintended consequences. Several years later, these pests have worked their way to the Midwest and we started getting calls about them entering the house. We used to tell people, just pick up the little guy and let him go outside, or vacuum them up. Today, they've become quite the problem. They feed on 36 different aphids and other pests, and have greatly reduced the number of native lady beetles. These beetles can and do bite humans, contrary to popular belief and are a source of allergens.

BIOLOGY (Asian lady beetle):

• Adults consume 90-270 aphids per day. Larvae consume 300-600 per day.

• The female lays 15 eggs per day, for 32 days = 500 eggs.

• Can live up to 3 years.

• Need 50 degrees to fly, 65 degrees to swarm.

• Egg to adult - 30 days.

FUN FACTS (Asian lady beetle):

• If it has 0 or 2 spots, there is an 85% chance it is male.

• If it has 19 spots (or a ton of them), there is an 85% chance it is female.

When they fly, they orient themselves towards tall buildings or hills, but may encounter your building on the way. They are attracted to contrast, such as shadows or dark shutters, etc., which loosely resemble the white cliff faces they migrate to in Asia.

There is no doubt about it; insect activity is greatly if not completely reduced during the winter months of November through February.  There are many changes that occur to the environment that cause this change in insect activity. The most obvious is the gradual reduction in temperature along with the shorter hours of sunlight, include into those changes is the decrease in humidity, which makes the air dryer, the dormancy of trees and vegetation (which are food sources), and you have an environment not suited for much insect activity.

These insects just don’t disappear however, their numbers are greatly reduced, they are less active and in many cases only certain stages of their development are present. In cold unheated areas or outside, insects will seek out protected areas to overwinter. Examples could include; cracks/crevices along walls, under siding, roofs, overhangs, under the bark of trees etc. In the heated or warmer areas of structures where pests have overwintered it is possible to see live insect activity. Obviously any insects noted indoors during the winter are not coming in from the outside; they are coming from the structure.

The Asian Lady Beetles have been on the rise and seem the be the predominant "Lady Bug" invading houses these days.  While generally consider beneficial to the environment, they are not considered beneficial in our homes.  Some houses can get them by the dozens, hundreds, or even houses.  There are many different looking lady bugs, and even the Asian Lady Beetle can vary, but look for the distinctive "M" marking on the head of the Asian Lady Beetle.

TREATMENT

Many of these insects can be controlled by sealing up your house with the appropriate caulk or sealant.  Where this is not feasible, consider a timely application with a liquid residual in the fall, particularly on the South and West sides of your house where insects head in the early evening for the heat that is retained as the sun sets.  Typically one application will be needed, usually in late August, however if we have an extended summer, the treatment may have worn off and another may be needed in late September.

If any of these pests make it indoors, simply use a vacuum to remove them.  Often indoor treatments are not needed as these pests will die naturally.

RELATED ISSUE

More and more of these and other pests which try to overwinter in your home like box elder bugs and cluster flies are dying in peoples walls and attics, only to become the food source for other insects. For more information, see our Larder Beetle page.

 

Consider hiring a professional.  For a Free Estimate, Contact Us Now! Serving Minnesota and Wisconsin Proudly 922 Hwy 55 Suite 100 ● Hamel MN 55340 ● www.adamspestcontrol.com 763-478-9810 ● Toll Free 800-227-2214 ● Fax 763-478-6715 ©2008 ADAM'S PEST CONTROL, INC.