How to Fight Your Way Out of a Ladybug Infestation
Believe it or not, beautiful, adorable ladybugs can pose a problem for homeowners in fall and spring seasons. A typical ladybug infestation will likely reveal orange and black ladybugs, otherwise known as Asian lady beetles, as opposed to the more commonly known red ladybugs with black spots.
The reason? The orange and black Asian lady beetles prefer spending colder seasons at lower elevations. When the weather gets chilly in fall months, ladybugs may flock to homes at lower altitudes to seek shelter and set up shop for the winter.
2 Important Facts about Household Ladybug Infestations
When it comes to household ladybug infestations, knowing is half the battle. Since ladybugs are most likely looking for a warm place to hibernate throughout the winter, understanding these important facts will make it easier to stop infestations before they start:
- Ladybugs are most often attracted to light colors like white.
- Ladybugs are drawn to south-facing windows because of their warmth.
Once ladybugs have made their way indoors, an infestation is fairly difficult to deal with on your own. The easiest way to stop a problem before it starts is to call pest control services in Birmingham at the first sign of a ladybug infestation. This issue should be dealt with far before winter hits to prevent a full-blown invasion throughout the colder months.
The good news is that ladybugs aren’t poisonous or harmful to humans. Nonetheless, they may be unpleasant to have around or inside the house since they are fairly difficult to get rid of in droves. To prepare in advance, you can seal any cracks, crevices, or holes in your house to obstruct entry for hibernating ladybugs.
It also helps to use the following tips to keep a ladybug problem under control this season…
3 Helpful Tips to Handle a Ladybug Infestation
- Vacuum up the ladybugs. Keep in mind that this is only a temporary fix for a much bigger problem. It’s also important to change out the bag in your vacuum cleaner immediately because live ladybugs are likely to crawl out and re-infest your house.
- Spray windows and door frames with a pest spray that contains permethrin. This chemical can quickly kill ladybugs to prevent a complete indoor infestation. If you don’t feel comfortable spraying chemicals yourself inside your house, contact an exterminator for help.
- Wash window and door frames. As a precautionary measure, remember to wash window and door frames completely after a ladybug infestation has been eradicated. Ladybugs are known for leaving pheromones behind to attract other ladybugs to the same area again and again.