Asian Lady Beetles can be a big nuisance because they like to invade homes during the winter. In this article, we look at some ways to get rid of them.
The Asian lady beetle, also known as the multicolored Asian lady beetle or Halloween bug, is native to Eastern Asia.
It was introduced in North America via the US Department of Agriculture as a natural pest control mechanism to get rid of aphid infestations.
Even though they are beneficial insects, lately, Asian lady beetle populations have overtaken native beetle species like Coccinellidae at an alarming rate.
Moreover, they have started to infest homes, causing a nuisance. It’s important for people to learn how to get rid of Asian lady beetles. In this article, we shall discuss the same.
Why Are Asian Lady Beetles Harmful?
ALBs were originally beneficial insects that help us eliminate various agricultural pests, especially aphids.
But recently, the explosion in their population has become a cause for concern because they can be naughty house invaders who enter homes and cause a nuisance.
Below, lets see why this once boon for gardeners is slowly becoming a bane.
Outcompeting The Native Lady Beetles
ALBs have been around for a while, but in recent years, their population has outpaced that of native ladybugs (Coccinellidae). They are quick and efficient at using resources in their vicinity.
Even though native species are hardy, it is still necessary to pay attention and control the Asian beetle from out-competing them.
Some of the key native ladybug species are Coccinella transversoguttata, Adalia bipunctata, and Coccinella novemnotata.
Their existence is slowly coming under threat because ALBs are eating up most soft-bodied insects, leaving them with little to feed on.
One more problem is that it is hard to distinguish between Asian and native lady beetles. Both are reddish and orangish with black spots on them.
A key distinguishing feature is the presence of an M-shaped mark on the back of an Asian lady beetle’s head. Moreover, they have a higher number of black spots than other species.
They Enter Homes in The Winter and Cause Damage
Asian lady beetles are not interested in entering homes in the summer. However, they may enter your house to keep themselves warm during winter.
If they are in your garden, they can fly or crawl into the house through wall voids, cracks around window frames, and other small crevices in the structure of your home.
Asian beetles do not intentionally damage houses, landscapes, or gardens. However, when they are frightened, they might secrete a yellowish acidic liquid with an unpleasant odor. This fluid can easily stain your doors, furniture, clothes, bedding, and other items.
They Can Bite
Asian lady beetles are capable of biting human skin. This is a big problem, especially if you have children or pets at home.
Their bites can break the skin, causing discomfort for a few hours. Some people may also exhibit an allergic reaction to the bites, so it is best to seek medical help if you see symptoms such as headache, nausea, or palpitations after a bite.
How To Repel Asian Lady Beetles?
If you already have these bugs in your house, it might not be such a great idea to use insecticidal sprays to kill them. Below we talk about a few natural ways to get rid of them.
Vacuuming
The easiest way to eliminate these bugs is to use a vacuum and suck them in.
It is best to use a shop vac rather than an indoor vacuum cleaner. With a shop vac, you can easily seal the bugs in a vacuum bag and then discard them at a place far away from your home.
Since Asian beetles secrete that sticky yellow liquid when they are attacked, you don’t want to give them much of a chance before sucking them in. With a regular vacuum, you might end up with lots of stains all over your home.
Thus, the best option is to get rid of them with a shop vac and dispose of the bag immediately.
If you still want to use a bagless vacuum cleaner, stick a nylon stocking on the hose with a rubber band after you are done sucking them in. Afterward, simply remove and discard the bugs.
Light Traps
Like many other insects, Asian lady beetles are also attracted to light. You can use this knowledge to trap them and then discard them.
You can buy light traps from the market or make them home with some basic materials, including clamp lights, a gallon jug, and black spray paint.
Light traps work best to eliminate Asian beetles from dark and enclosed spaces, such as attics and the basement.
When setting up a light trap for bugs, ensure that its light is the only light in the room so that the beetles come towards it and are easily captured.
Also, always clean the trap after catching a handful of beetles.
Insecticides
While we do not suggest using insecticides inside the home, if you have a big infestation, there may be no other choice.
Deltamethrin and bifenthrin-based insecticides might work best on Asian lady beetles.
The good thing about using them is that they can kill several other bugs at one time, including flies, cockroaches, ants, and other pests.
However, make sure that you leave the home completely closed for at least a day after spraying them. Spray the insecticide on cracks in windows, wall voids, and crevices in doors, furniture, storage areas, and attics.
These bugs do not reproduce indoors, so you won’t have to contend with their eggs hatching later once you have done the treatment.
How To Prevent Them From Coming Inside Homes?
The best way to get rid of Asian lady beetles is to make sure they never enter your home in the first place. Here are a few ideas to deter them from entering.
Check the inside and outside of your house for cracks or crevices regularly. These bugs can easily enter closed spaces through these holes.
Look for even the tiniest of crevices because these wily beetles can enter holes even ⅛-inch in size. If you find any cracks or crevices, make sure to finish the repairs by the end of September.
Seal cracks and spaces around the doors and windows, areas near cable wires, pipes, faucets, damaged roofs, soffit or dry vents, etc.
Use elastomeric latex, silicone, or acrylic materials to seal the cracks, especially where materials like brick and wood meet, such as door outlines.
Install door sweeps or rubber seals on the threshold of entry doors to stop the bugs from entering your home.
If you find one or two of these beetles in the home, use soapy water on them to kill them instantly. You can also use a mixture of vinegar and water.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Eats Asian Lady Beetles?
Dragonflies, ants, cellar spiders, parasitic wasps, robber flies, assassin bugs, and praying mantes are some insects that eat Asian lady beetles.
Some birds, such as magpies, swifts, crows, and peewees, can also make Asian lady beetles their lunch.
How do I get rid of Asian beetles permanently?
Seal the cracks, gaps, and crevices around the doors and windows, to prevent them from entering.
Moreover, spray insecticides in enclosed areas and around the perimeter of the house, and make sure to keep lights off during the night, so that these bugs are not attracted to your home.
What smell do ladybugs hate?
Ladybugs usually hate the smell of citrus fruits and plants. Use citrus candles or neem and orange oil in your house to get rid of them.
Ladybugs also avoid the smell of bay leaves, cloves, camphor, and peppermint. You can place these in various places in your home to avoid them.
What causes an infestation of ladybugs?
Ladybugs hibernate during winter, so they look for a safe place to hide, and this is when they start to infest homes.
They also look for warmth in winter and often fly inside homes to seek the same. They are also attracted to bright colors, so they enter houses colored white, yellow, or beige.
Wrap Up
Once introduced as a biological control for pests, the Asian lady beetle is rapidly becoming a pest itself. Swarms of these bugs try to invade homes during the winter and can be found looking fo the smallest crevice to make their entry.
We hope the methods we described in this article will help you to get rid of them from your home. Thank you for reading!
Reader Emails
Asian Lady Beetles are a huge menace, and you can read some of the emails from our readers below to understand why!
Letter 1 – Mating Multicolored Asian Ladybird Beetles stalked by Ambush Bug!!
I was taking pictures of the mating ladybugs and did not notice the strange bug until I downloaded the pictures. What is it? Located in Dallas, Georgia.
Lee Hooker
Hi Lee,
Nice to hear from you again. We believe your Ladybird Beetles are Multicolored Asian Ladybird Beetles, Harmonia axyridis, which are highly variable in coloration. They are being stalked by an Ambush Bug. The Ambush Bug might soon have a meal. We are cross referencing your photo on several of our pages, including Bug Love and Food Chain.
Letter 2 – Multicolored Asian Lady Beetles invade homes
Letter 3 – Multicolored Asian Ladybird Beetles
Letter 4 – Asian Lady Beetles enter home
Letter 5 – Suspected Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle Invasion in East Texas
Letter 6 – Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle on Woody Plant
They’re so darned cute and pleasant, I’d welcome the horde!
We had a contractor seal our window frames and fascia boards a year ago to weather-proof, and a bonus (that I noticed several months later) is that we have fewer insect visitors inside now, especially spiders. It might be difficult to block their entry into an older home, but screens and sealant might help? Good luck!!
These things invaded my apartment a few years ago by coming in through the air conditioning vents. My landlord cut back the grass around the air conditioning units and I’ve only seen a few since then. You could also try wrapping some screen mesh around your unit to see if that will block them out.