Labybugs just looking for warm winter shelter
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share thisBy the look of things outdoors right now, one might think polka dots are all the rage.
Orange and black may be the colors of the fall/Halloween season but most homeowners don't want that palette crawling around their houses. How do we cope with the migration of the ladybug?
As the seasons change from summer into fall, insects adapt to prepare for the winter. Ladybugs are no exception. They are searching for places to hibernate.
Most people know ladybugs are beneficial insects and good gardening partners - when they are outside. But they are a nuisance if they want to be "roomies."
It is important to remember that they do not carry diseases, feed or reproduce inside, nor do any structural damage. Use of any kind of insecticides should be avoided. Aerosols can create air quality concerns and do not prevent new ladybugs from entering the home.
So here are a few tips to help manage this uninvited guest:
- Be careful in handling the insects as they give off a defensive chemical which does have an offensive odor to it. Remember to wash your hands afterward as well.
- Prevent the ladybugs from entering your house by making sure windows are sealed well, all damaged screens are repaired, cracks in siding and trim are sealed with caulk, and vents are covered with No. 20 or smaller screen mesh.
- Sticky fly paper can be used to trap the beetles and then thrown away.
- Use a vacuum to collect them and change the bag after every use
- To help the ladybug you can gently sweep them up and put them outside in a rock or wood pile to hibernate over the winter. For those up to the challenge, they can be collected in a paper bag, and stored in the refrigerator until spring. Then they can be moved outside to your garden and be the beneficial insect they are supposed to be.
For more information, Penn State Master Gardeners have a fact sheet on the ladybug available by calling the Lackawanna County Cooperative Extension office at 963-6842.
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