Asian Lady Beetles
It’s that time of year again and the “Asian Lady Beetles” (Harmonia axyridis) are swarming. These small multicolored, yellow-orange, (usually) spotted beetles are invading homes and wreaking havoc on our pets.
These beetles are native to northeastern Asia and resembles our native “lady bug” (Coccinellidae family). They are voracious predators soft bodied insect plant pests, especially aphids, and will bite! They were first introduced into the United States to help control aphids and are considered to be a beneficial pest.
This year they are especially numerous because of the multitude of aphids around here for them to feed on towards the end of the summer.
Now that cooler temperatures are setting in around here they are looking for a warm place to hibernate during the winter. If you look on the sides of trees, buildings, and homes, on the side where there’s southern exposure, you will find masses of them. They will hibernate in crevices like inside window sills, eaves of buildings, and doors.
If they get inside your home, you can use a vacuum cleaner or dust buster to suck them up. Then take the vacuum cleaner/dust buster outside and release them back into the environment. DO NOT squash them, they have a defense mechanism where they will release a pungent order and/or release a orangish smear where they are squashed.
On your home, try sealing cracks and crevices around doors with caulk, and seal any openings (dryer vents, utility openings) or anywhere else in your home they might crawl/fly in through. If you are unable to do this or have already done this and your home is still being invaded, contact us!