Ladybugs

What Is The Ladybug?

It might be beautiful, it might seem unique, and it could be the name of your daughter’s soccer team, but as friendly or unimposing as they seem, the ladybug can be a nuisance. Coming from the Coccinellidae family, these common beetles can grow anywhere in the range from 1/32 of an inch to ½ inch. While they can appear in a wide range of colors, they are usually scarlet, orange, or yellow with small black spots on their wings. The legs, heads, and antennae are usually solid black. While there are over 5,000 reported species of ladybugs found throughout the world, only 450 of these species are native to North America.

Despite these annoying natures, these critters should be considered useful. This is because they commonly feed on species like aphids, scale insects, mealybugs, and even mites. These insects will most commonly be found in gardens and around orchards. There are even some people that will utilize the ladybugs as a means to deter these unwanted critters from their gardens and orchards. Want to eliminate a mite problem in your commercial garden? Mites eating holes in your apples? No problem, just release a truckload of ladybugs and you’ll eliminate the problem. This is something that the Mall of America did back in 1992. And, they came away with positive results.

Why Do You Have Ladybugs?

Unfortunately, the release of these bugs as a means of garden and insect control backfired. Yes, the bugs did an excellent job of eliminating unwanted critters and insects, but they started invading nearby structures. If you are seeing ladybugs in your home, it’s likely from the species that was released in North America to deal with the aphid community. The numbers of aphid-eating beetles have increased over the years thanks to their quick-witted nature. These bugs started traveling indoors to hibernate during the harsh winter weather. If you see a ladybug in the home, that’s why it is likely there. It is either trying to find a place to ride out the long, winter months or it is waking up from hibernation, trying to get back outdoors.

Are Ladybugs A Threat?

Ladybugs do not pose a threat to humans or pets. There have been some rare reported cases where the bugs nipped someone, but these were extremely rare occurrences. That being said, even if you were nipped by a bug, you wouldn’t have to worry about contracting a disease because these bugs are not known to carry or transmit any. The only real problem they pose is the mess and smell. They leave behind a mess and can sometimes give off an unpleasant odor.

Proper Ladybug Elimination

Ladybugs are unique in a few different ways. This is even true when it comes to elimination. You’ll likely only need to help them find their way out the door. During the summer, if they are in the home, they are likely trying to find their way out and got turned around. However, if you find these critters in the home during the winter months, they are likely looking to hibernation inside the walls. What’s even more interesting about these critters is, they don’t build nests, but thy rather aggregate inside the walls. Unfortunately, this makes elimination all that much more difficult. If you are experiencing a ladybug problem in the winter, you’ll likely require the assistance of a highly skilled, trained, and certified pest management professional like Kings Pest.

Can I Remove Ladybugs Myself?

Everyone is tempted with DIY treatments these days. Being a professional exterminator this is something we can understand. Pest management is expensive and can sometimes be time-consuming. Paying a lot price or having people you don’t know in and out of the property constantly can be a hassle. Unfortunately, DIY treatments, while there are plenty available, just aren’t effective. This is because the real chemicals required to eradicate these bugs need to be purchased by a certified professional. Anyone else administering these chemicals will be doing so illegally.

Proper Ladybug Prevention

As with any pest, prevention is always the best course of action. Prevention will not only save you money in the long run, but it’ll save you a whole of hassle. The only problem is, as, with other invading pests, there is little you can do to wholly eliminate your chances of an infestation. You can mitigate your risks of exposure and this is certainly a route you’ll want to take. Work with our trained professionals to learn how you can do this.

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