| Asian Lady Beetles Are Commonly Called Lady Bugs |
| What are all those little bugs? |
| If you live in the United States, your home is probably being invaded by swarms of lady beetles. |
| Many people are wondering what they are and what to do about them. Here are the answers from the Missouri Department of Conservation. |
| Over the last few years, many Missourians have been encountering thousands of lady beetles "swarming" around and inside their homes. This is not some bug that's gone berserk, but actually an insect that is new to Missouri. The multicolored Asian lady beetle was originally released into some southern and eastern U.S. states several years ago as a predator to control aphids on trees. None were released in Missouri, but the beetles have spread here from other areas. |
| There are about 400 species of lady beetles in the U.S. Most of these are native to the U.S., and because most feed on insects that attack plants, they are generally considered to be beneficial insects. However, the Asian lady beetle has become a major nuisance because of its swarming behavior. These insects congregate in the fall as they try to find sheltered places where they can hibernate during the winter. Then on warm days in early spring they congregate again in huge numbers as they come out of their over wintering sites. |
| In their native range in Japan, Asian lady beetles swarm around cliffs to search for crevices for over wintering sites. However, houses and other buildings seem to be attractive alternatives to cliffs. These beetles enter homes by slipping through cracks around doors and windows or through attic vents. Lady beetles do not reproduce indoors during their hibernation period. They do not harm humans or pets, although at times they can give a bit of a nip by biting. |
| The best thing you can do for this problem is prevention. Caulk up all crevices around doors, windows, and utility pipes. Make sure you have tight-fitting screens on windows and attic vents. You should especially concentrate on openings on the south and west sides of the house, because those are the warmer areas where lady beetles are more likely to gather. If you already have lots of beetles inside your house, about the only thing you can do is vacuum them up and dump them back outdoors, preferably in a sheltered place a long distance from the house. Avoid squeezing or crushing the beetles, because they can emit a fluid that can stain carpets or drapes. Spraying with insecticides is usually not effective, and trying to use enough insecticide to have some effect just adds a high level of toxic materials to your home. |
| The Asian lady beetle has been introduced into the U.S. several times since 1978. Since then, they have spread to many parts of the U.S. and Canada. They were first found in Missouri in 1993 in Carter and Wayne counties, but have now spread throughout much of the state. It is difficult to predict what impacts we will see in Missouri as the Asian lady beetle becomes well established here. Eventually native predators may provide some measure of control on lady beetle populations. Recent research in North Carolina indicates that as much as 25% of lady beetle populations were parasitized by a tachinid fly. |
| A practical guide to pest controls that are safe for both the user and the environment: |
| (Click the picture) |
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