Ladybugs can be lovely creatures – but only when they aren’t making a nest out of your walls. Although these tiny red-orange beetles don’t pose a threat for humans or pets, they can easily become a source of stress if they invade your home.
A swarm of ladybugs are called an “aggregation.” They usually aggregate toward warm, sheltered places in order to regulate their internal body temperature during hibernation.
While you could absolutely just let them hang around your house, it’s possible to be allergic to ladybugs. Just like cat allergies, ladybug allergies could result in potential health issues, like urticaria and angioedema.
On top of that, ladybugs will discharge a yellow liquid from the joints in their legs when they’re stressed, and often just before they die. This discharge is called “reflex bleeding.” It’s known for its unpleasant odor, as well as the stains it could leave on your walls and furniture.
The good news is, you don’t have to squish or kill ladybugs to get rid of them. Prevention is better than cure, so you should ideally remove their hotbed and stop these pests from multiplying once and for all.
What Causes Ladybugs?
Simply put, the primary cause of ladybug aggregations is incoming cold weather.
When it starts getting chilly from spring until fall, ladybugs seek shelter in warm and cozy places. They prefer secluded places, such as shrubbery, rotting logs, or even your pantry. Other pests, like spiders and mice, may follow suit.
Ways to Get Rid of Ladybugs
Ensure That They Have No Access to Your House
The food and warmth inside your home make the perfect breeding ground for ladybugs. Your goal, then, is to ensure your house is sealed from top to bottom.
The best way to make the inside of your home ladybug-proof is to fix your door frames, windows, and any areas that might be acting as an entryway for these bugs. Make sure you seal/replace cracked, damaged, or rotten materials (such as window screens and wooden panels).
Trim Shrubbery and Overgrown Grass
Shrubbery and tall grass are attractive to insects. These places are covered, warm, and fuzzy. What more do ladybugs need?
This is exactly why you need to regularly maintain the shrubs around your house. Ideally, you should trim them away from your home’s exterior. Not only will this keep them pest-free, but also well-groomed.
If They’re Already Inside
Use Your Vacuum
If you’ve already found half a dozen ladybugs in your room, you should get rid of them right away for your own comfort.
You can easily do this by removing them with a vacuum. Unlike squishing the bugs, vacuuming won’t cause reflex bleeding, unless you do it by accident.
When you’re done, release them somewhere away from your house so they can’t crawl back inside.
Use Natural Insecticides
The best thing about natural insecticides is that most of them repel insects rather than killing them. Besides, of course, being 100% safe for humans and pets.
A few natural insecticides include:
- Oil of citronella, which has a characteristic odor that can mask attractive indoor odors
- Clove oil, which is widely used as a natural and effective pesticide
- Lavender, which also has a strong, repelling scent
- Chrysanthemums, or “Mums,” which contain Pyrethrin, a chemical that is toxic for insects
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advises against traditional insecticides for several reasons. Exposure to the toxicity of these chemicals can result in a range of symptoms, from mild allergic reactions to severe dizziness and nausea.
If you still choose to use chemical insecticides, make sure to keep them away from kids and pets. Use only the recommended product amount, and ventilate the area immediately following application.
Call a Professional
In the words of Missy Henriksen, vice president of public affairs for the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), “once ladybugs invade a building they can be difficult to eradicate, so prevention is important.”
The NPMA suggests that homeowners seek advice from pest professionals – not only to remediate the current situation, but also to prevent ladybugs and other pests from becoming a nuisance in the future.
Get Professional Help From Certified Pest Control
In more serious cases, the above suggestions can only do so much when ladybugs begin to swarm. If those pests are keeping you up at night, give Certified Pest Control a call today at 615.886.7139.
We are a family-owned local pest control in Nashville, TN, with years of experience. If pests are the problem, we’ve got you covered.
Take back control of your home. Contact Certified Pest Control today!
