Lady Bug Control In Washington DC

Ladybug Infestation In Washington DC

Most complaints of ladybug infestations are caused by the Asian lady beetle, which was introduced into Washington DC 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!

Larval Ladybug: Friend Or Foe?

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 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.

Orange Ladybugs

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? 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.

How To Get Rid Of Lady Bugs

Remember that ladybugs are incredibly beneficial and are not likely to overwinter inside in large numbers. Whenever possible, is is best to leave ladybugs outside, where they are an important part of the ecosystem and eat plant-damaging garden pests. If, however, you find large numbers of Harlequin ladybirds inside, especially just before winter, you may need to take steps to get rid of them.

Seal Them Out 

An entry point is an access route that pests are using to enter your space. The most permanent way of dealing with overwintering ladybugs in your home is to seal them out, and the best time to do this is going to be late spring or early summer, before these pesky bugs begin looking for a place to overwinter.

• Seal up large holes, ideally with a metal mesh or concrete filler. Foam can be used in some instances but is easily damaged (especially by rodents), so use with caution.
• Small cracks around window frames, pipes, cables, and doors should be sealed with some sort of caulk sealant.
• Replace damaged window screens.
• Check the screens behind attic vents and replace if damaged.
• Place tight-fitting rubber sweeps and foam weather stripping on doors.

By sealing out overwintering ladybugs, you are also helping to seal your home off from other pests, including wasps, spiders, and flies.

Vacuum Them Up 

When you find large numbers of overwintering ladybugs inside, grab your vacuum and get to work! It may seem simple, but this is a great way to remove these pests from inside your home.

If you live in a home that is prone to large numbers of overwintering ladybugs, or you walk in one day and find piles of thousands of ladybugs in your basement, avoid the temptation to use the broom. This will cause the ladybugs to feel threatened, which causes them to secrete smelly, yellow fluid from their legs as a defense mechanism. Stick with the vacuum and you won't have this issue.

Chemical Treatment 

In any pest control program, chemical repellents and sprays should be used as a last resort and in tandem with other control methods. Chemical should never be a first resort, and it is never a primary defense.

Indoor treatments are not typically ideal for overwintering ladybugs, especially once the issue is already established inside. Vacuuming up the pests is more sanitary, it reduces your exposure to pesticides, and it reduces chemical residues left behind in your living space. Preventative measures such as sealing up entry points and vacuuming are much safer and effective.

Professional pest control companies like Miche Pest Control perform treatments around your home to deter pests from entering when the cold weather rolls around. These treatments are typically applied outside, in the areas where pests are likely to enter, such as around the foundation, door frames and window frames. Contact us for a free quote.

Yellow Ladybugs

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.

Ladybugs In Your House In Washington DC?

Ladybugs find their way inside because they're looking for a shelter in which to overwinter. That means they're searching for someplace warm and dry where they can wait out the cold season, and our cozy homes in Washington DC are perfect for this purpose. You'll occasionally find only one ladybug wandering around inside, but it's also possible to find many. You'll notice these so-called colonies of ladybugs scattered around your home or clustered together in one space, usually nestled in corners of attics or basements or near doors and windows.

Why are there so many? When one ladybug finds its way inside, it has a way of signaling to others and drawing them indoors too. Adult ladybugs can release pheromones, or scented chemical flares that attract other ladybugs nearby. This chemical signal creates a trail that invites other ladybugs in via the same path the first ladybug used. This can also lead them to cluster in one location in your home. In spring, you may see ladybugs that hid inside for the winter reemerging near bright doors and windows.