Lady Bug Control Services In Alexandria VA
Miche Pest Control is a family owned and operated pest control company that provides high quality residential and commercial lady bug control services for homes and businesses in Alexandria VA and the surrounding areas. Our expert lady bug exterminators get rid of lady bugs from homes and businesses fast, and use preventative treatments to keep the lady bugs from coming back after they've been eliminated. Miche Pest Control has a 4.9 star rating and over 1,000 reviews online - call today or book online!
Lady Bugs in Alexandria VA
There are about 5,000 different species of ladybugs in the world. These much loved critters are also known as lady beetles or ladybird beetles. They come in many different colors and patterns, but the most familiar in Alexandria VA is the seven-spotted ladybug, with its shiny, red-and-black body. In many cultures, ladybugs are considered good luck.
Most people like ladybugs because they are pretty, graceful, and harmless to humans. But farmers love them because they eat aphids and other plant-eating pests. One lady bug can eat up to 5,000 pest insects in its lifetime! Most ladybugs have oval, dome-shaped bodies with six short legs. Depending on the species, they can have spots, stripes, or no markings at all. Seven-spotted ladybugs are red or orange with three spots on each side and one in the middle. They have a black head with white patches on either side.
Asian Beetle Or Ladybug?
Are ladybugs and Asian beetles the same? No! The ladybug looking bug you’re thinking about is probably the Asian lady beetle. And although ladybugs and Asian lady beetles look similar and belong to the same insect family, they do not behave similarly.
Ladybugs are considered highly beneficial, harmless insects. They don’t bite, they consume several harmful garden pests such as aphids, and they never congregate in large numbers. Most importantly, when it gets cold they seek shelter outdoors.
Asian lady beetles are considered a true pest. Unlike ladybugs, Asian lady beetles will gather in large groups, especially around warm, reflective surfaces like windows. Asian lady beetles “bite” by scraping the skin they land on, and leave a yellow, foul-smelling liquid on surfaces where they gather.
Worst of all, Asian lady beetles will attempt to enter your home in Alexandria VA when they look for overwintering shelters.
Orange Ladybugs in Alexandria VA
Ladybugs are unquestionably one of the world’s most fascinating insects. They come in different colors and are generally friendly and docile. But have you ever seen an orange ladybug in Alexandria VA? If so, you’ve probably come across a distinct type of them. These orange ones are also known as Asian Lady Beetles, which, unlike their more gentle cousins, can bite and be aggressive. Not all ladybugs are poisonous or dangerous to humans. However, the orange ladybugs have the most toxins in their bodies, which can cause allergies in some people and in some cases, may be fatal to animals. It’s important to note that even though they are more aggressive than the typical red ladybug, they typically do not attack anything other than aphids, mealybugs, and other insects.
While ladybugs do not sting, they can bite. Orange Ladybugs tend to have the most toxins in their bodies compared to other colored ones. As a result, they can cause an allergic skin reaction in some people. Apart from bites, ladybugs can also “pinch” their enemies with their limbs. They are not known to be carriers of human diseases. So, if one bites or pinches you, it shouldn’t cause any illnesses.
Orange Ladybugs are beneficial for pest control in the wild, but they can be a nuisance in the house. When disturbed, these beetles emit an unpleasant odor. They also produce yellow secretions that can discolor surfaces. Orange ladybugs like to land on clothing and bite or pinch upon human contact. They have sharp yet tiny mouthparts that allow them to chew and bite. It’s pinprick-like, rarely harmful, and will probably leave just a red mark on the skin.
Larval Ladybugs in Alexandria VA: Are They Friends Or Foes?
Everyone recognizes lady beetles, or ladybugs, and welcomes them into their gardens. Unfortunately, baby lady beetles look nothing like they do as adults. Instead of bright red shells and black dots, ladybug larvae resemble tiny black alligators and do not look like something you want crawling around your plants. Take a good look, because the last thing you want to do is kill these garden allies before they reach maturity.
The ladybug nymph is about 1/2 inch in length, with an elongated, spiny body. It is black with red, orange or white markings. Their appearance can be quite alarming, but they won't harm either you or your plants. They will spend several weeks eating pest insects until they eventually pupate and emerge as adults.
Lady beetles overwinter in Alexandria VA as adults in dry, protected areas such as tree bark, house shingles, or even indoors in attics. They come out from cover in early spring and begin feeding and laying eggs right away. One female lady beetle can lay up to 1,000 eggs over a three-month period. When the young lady beetles emerge from the eggs as larvae, they look like the picture shown and begin feeding immediately.
Yellow Ladybugs in Alexandria VA
Yellow ladybugs are seen around the world. They live in Asia, Oceania, and North America. These bugs are often received with joy, many due to their looks. Just like Ladybirds, yellow ladybugs come with black spots or black marks. They have the same dome-shaped body and they can fly similarly to Ladybirds. Yellow ladybugs are either known for eating either other bugs or a range of flowers, mainly from agricultural fields. Despite their potentially harmful effect on agriculture, these bugs are perceived as lucky by those who see them in many parts of the world. Their spiritual meaning is often different from their impact on these crops.
Many yellow ladybugs are known to develop black spots on their bodies as well. These are often quantified as they’re always the same number of spots. The number of black spots on yellow ladybugs often inspires their name, such as in the case of the Fourteen-spotted Lady Beetle or the 22-Spot Ladybird. Ladybugs are known to fully develop their color as they get out of the pupa. They might be pale yellow at first but their final yellow color shade settles within days. Yellow ladybugs are also known to have small coloring shade differences depending on their genus. Males might be brighter or darker yellow compared to females.
Ladybug Infestation In Alexandria VA
Most complaints of ladybug infestations are caused by the Asian lady beetle, which was introduced into Alexandria VA and many other regions of the U.S. as a natural control for soft-bodied, crop-destroying insects. These beetles would normally hibernate for the winter inside of caves and rocky crevices. However, in developed areas they have the pesky tendency to overwinter inside our homes!
Alexandria VA
Alexandria is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. Located along the western bank of the Potomac River, Alexandria is approximately 7 miles south of downtown Washington DC.
Like the rest of Northern Virginia, as well as Central Maryland, modern Alexandria has been influenced by its proximity to the U.S. Capitol. It is largely populated by professionals working in the federal civil service, in the U.S. military, or for one of the many private companies which contract to provide services to the federal government. One of Alexandria's largest employers is the U.S. Department of Defense. Another is the Institute for Defense Analyses. In 2005, the United States Patent and Trademark Office moved to Alexandria, and in 2017, so did the headquarters of the National Science Foundation.
The historic center of Alexandria is known as Old Town. With its concentration of boutiques, restaurants, antique shops and theaters, it is a major draw for all who live in Alexandria as well for visitors. Like Old Town, many Alexandria neighborhoods are compact and walkable. It is the 7th largest and highest-income independent city in Virginia.
A large portion of adjacent Fairfax County, mostly south but also west of the city, has Alexandria mailing addresses. However, this area is under the jurisdiction of Fairfax County's government and separate from the independent city. The city is therefore sometimes referred to as the "City of Alexandria" to avoid confusion. Additionally, neighboring Arlington County was formerly named "Alexandria County" before it was renamed by the Virginia General Assembly in 1920 to reduce confusion with the city.
Nearby Cities:
Arlington VA (6 miles), Washington DC (7 miles), Springfield VA (8 miles), Falls Church VA (9 miles), Hyattsville MD (12 miles), Bethesda MD (13 miles), Silver Spring MD (13 miles), Fairfax VA (14 miles), Woodbridge VA (15 miles), Upper Marlboro MD (16 miles), Bowie MD (20 miles), Rockville MD (20 miles), Herndon VA (22 miles), Laurel MD (23 miles), Manassas VA (23 miles), Gaithersburg MD (25 miles), Ashburn VA (29 miles), Columbia MD (29 miles), Annapolis MD (32 miles), Ellicott City MD (35 miles), Leesburg VA (35 miles), Baltimore MD (41 miles), Fredericksburg VA (41 miles), Frederick MD (46 miles)
Recent Blog Articles
Water Bugs vs Roaches
March 24, 2023
Learn the differences between water bugs and oriental cockroaches in this blog post, as well as what attracts them and how to get rid of them.Read More
Call The Pros At The First Sign Of Rats On Your Property
March 23, 2023
If rats make their way into your home, are you prepared? Our new post explains why these pests are so dangerous and how you can better rat-proof your home.Read More