By now just about every home has seen an overload of Ladybugs..but wait that’s not the ladybug you know from childhood.  This is a different bug all together. The multicolored Asian Lady Beetle, Harmonia axyridis is relatively new to this country. This ladybug cousin can be a nuisance in Fall and even Winter when they fly to buildings in search of overwintering sites and end up in your Kitchen banging repeatedly into your overhead lights. Once these Asian invaders find their way inside they crawl on windows, walls, and even get into attics.  Don’t worry multicolored Asian Lady Beetles are completely harmless.  However, they are also know to emitting a noxious odor and produce a yellowish fluid before dying that may stain carpets, furniture and other items.
 When you see these little invaders in the spring, they probable have been living in your home all winter.

Where did they come from?
The short answer is Asia (Korea, Japan, China) where it is naturally found in fields preying on aphids and scale insects.  To answer this question ion more detail you need to look no farther than the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  In the 1960’s and later large numbers of the beetles were released in several states including Georgia, South Carolina, Louisiana, Mississippi, California, Washington, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Maryland to control agricultural pests, especially pecan and apple trees.

The first populations of multicolored Asian Lady Beetles were found in Louisiana in the 1980’s but as with most foreign species, it took a while before they established and started to spread.  Now they are found throughout the U.S. and parts of Canada

Conflicting Facts
Some scientists believe that current infestations in the U.S. originated from beetles accidentally transported into New Orleans on a freighter from Japan.

 
As many of you will find out in the early spring, these small creatures found their way into your home through roof vents, garage doors, cracks and crevices.  What is the best way to deal with these Asian invaders and to prevent the cycle from reoccurring next year?

Sealing entry points
Pest Control should start on the outside of your home. Replace worn door and window seals (especially garage doors), seal cracks and fill crevices, add screening material to gable vents and other attic vents, crawl space vents, and other openings to the exterior.  The most frequent culprits are utility pipes and electrical openings.  Another major entry point are sliding glass doors and sliding windows. Small holes along the tracks and under the railing allow beetles and other creatures to enter.  This problem can be fixed with foam weather stripping (not expanding foam).

Just remember to use a high quality sealant, not caulk.  Caulk will dry, become brittle and fall off in just a few years. Sealant will be around years down the line.
Sounds like a lot of work, but luckily BRS provides these services every day.  Just call and ask about pest proofing your home.

Vacuuming
If the beetles are already indoors, the easiest way to remove them is with a vacuum cleaner. If you later wish to release the beetles outdoors, place piece of thin cloth (a cheesecloth, handkerchief, or old T-shirt will do) between the vacuum hose and the dust collection bag to act as a trap.  Brushing or using a broom are more likely to result in staining when beetles emit their yellowish defensive secretion.

Insecticides
Indoors and outdoors
Generally insecticides will do more harm than good indoors.  As stated earlier, just before dying these beetles exude a yellowish staining substance.  Again the best method for interior control is a vacuum.

Sealing cracks and openings is a more permanent way to limit beetle entry.  However, what is your home is 4 stories high, or you are unable to seal all openings or you just don’t have the time.  Sealing can be impractical and expensive if you have cracks everywhere.   
If lady beetles are a yearly problem contact BRS when you see the first invaders , and we will apply insecticides to building exteriors in the fall, which helps prevent pest entry. You may choose either a fast-acting long lasting residual insecticide or a long lasting natural insecticide around windows, doors, attic vents, and other likely points of entry.

Call BRS to ask about this treatment