When you think of ladybugs, you probably think of spring picnics and fresh flowers. However, large groups of ladybugs come together in the fall to seek shelter as temperatures begin to drop. They even leave trails of pheromones behind, which attract them back to the same areas each year! They also release a pheromone that attracts other ladybugs. While they aren’t known for being harmful, you may be less than enthusiastic about seeing them crowded inside of your home. Luckily, there are steps you can take to prevent an autumn infestation.
Prevention
The best thing you can do to prevent ladybugs from piling into your house? Seal all cracks around doors, windows, walls, outlets and pipes in your home. Repair or replace broken window screens or weather stripping, if necessary. These tiny beetles love to cozy up in cracks and crevices. Once ladybugs have made it inside, it’s very difficult to get rid of them until springtime when they head back outdoors, so prevention is key.
Treatment
If ladybugs are bothering you indoors, it’s best to call a professional pest control technician to help you figure out the best way to get rid of them. They’re known for hiding inside of walls, which can make it especially tricky to get them out of the house. You can vacuum regularly, draw them together using light traps then release them outdoors, and spray vinegar in the areas you’ve spotted them. Just don’t agitate them by sweeping them up or swatting at them, as they release a yellow, smelly liquid that can stain materials when stressed.
While ladybug infestations can be bothersome, the good news is they aren’t in your home to invade the area — they’re just trying to stay warm until spring. Bites are rare, and they aren’t known to carry diseases or destroy property. In many ways, ladybugs can actually be beneficial — they eat aphids, for example. If these lady beetles are bothering you, contact us today to set up a professional evaluation and take back your living space!
Remember at Clark Exterminating “The Bug Stops Here!”
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