It’s safe to say that ladybugs are some of the cutest and most docile insects, with their bright red bodies and black polka dot pattern. However, they can quickly become a nuisance if not properly contained.
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about ladybugs and a step-by-step guide to getting rid of them – for good!
Why Are Ladybugs in My House?
You will usually notice more ladybugs in your home during the winter months, as ladybugs tend to flock indoors to stave off the freezing cold. While not considered invasive, ladybugs can quickly add up if you have a crack or opening they can exploit.
Typically, seeing one ladybug isn’t cause for alarm, but if you are noticing large numbers of these bugs in your home, you may want to reach out to a professional pest control company.
Ladybugs do snack on insects, so seeing large numbers of ladybugs or beetles may mean that your home has more pests than you know.
What Do Ladybugs Symbolize?
In many cultures, it is believed that ladybugs symbolize luck and new beginnings. Some people also believe that ladybugs are a sign of fertility, and seeing a ladybug or having one land on you could mean that one’s family will soon be expanding.
Are Ladybugs Harmful?
Ladybugs are known for their friendly and harmless nature, as they do not draw blood or carry disease. Unlike stink bugs, they don’t release a horrible smell, and they tend to feast on insects, not plants. In fact, ladybugs are said to be beneficial to gardeners, as they prey on soft-bodied pests like aphids, which can destroy plants.
Ladybugs are very docile creatures and are not seen as threatening humans, pets, or plants.
How to Get Rid of Ladybugs: Step-by-Step
If you do find yourself with a large swarm of ladybugs, most infestations can be treated fairly easily, DIY.
1. Vacuum Your Floors
If you spot ladybugs in your home, the easiest way to remove them is by gently vacuuming them with the nozzle attachment on your vacuum cleaner. This will pick up the ladybugs without crushing them, and you can release them back into the wild afterward.
2. Seal Entrances
Sealing the entrances to your home is a crucial way to keep out pests of all kinds, including ladybugs. You can do this by inspecting your doors and window screens for any possible entryways and using a store-bought caulk to seal up any cracks or crevices in your home.
3. Use Diatomaceous Earth
For larger ladybug infestations, sprinkling diatomaceous earth where these insects travel can effectively kill them. Diatomaceous earth dehydrates insects that come into contact with the powder, making it an effective solution for dealing with many different pests.
4. Use a Light Trap
Light traps are also commonly used to manage household insects, including ladybugs. Light traps can be purchased for around $30 or less on Amazon or in-store at several different retailers and are a great alternative solution to using pest control chemicals.
5. Use an Essential Oil
There are several scents ladybugs are known to dislike, including citronella, lavender, lemon, and cloves. Using these scents in essential oil form can effectively deter ladybugs from hanging around your home.
6. Plant Lavender or Mums
Keeping lavender and mums inside and outside your home is another all-natural way to ward off ladybugs, as they hate the scents of these plants.
7. Seek Professional Assistance
When in doubt, it is always best to seek the help of a pest control professional to take care of an infestation of any kind. Anchor Pest Control offers preventative pest control plans to naturally repel ladybugs without harming you, your family, or your pets.
Contact our team of professionals for service in the tri-state area.
FAQs: Ladybug Pest Control
Can ladybug infestations damage property?
While ladybugs can infest homes in extreme cases, they are not known to damage property in any way. In large infestations, these bugs may stain carpets and upholstery with their secretions, but other than that, they are not thought to do serious property damage.
How can I tell if I have a ladybug infestation?
The biggest sign of a ladybug infestation is seeing a large number of ladybugs gathering together inside or outside of your home. Ladybugs will often gather on the sides of buildings and in the cracks of structures, so you may notice a large number of these insects congregating in these areas of your home. However, a pest control professional can assess the situation and determine whether or not you are dealing with an infestation.
Do ladybugs carry diseases?
Ladybugs do not carry any known diseases, and their presence in your home is unlikely to spread disease as well. Additionally, these insects do not draw blood, so even if they were to bite or pinch, you should not experience any adverse reactions.
Will ladybugs harm my indoor plants?
Ladybugs are not known to harm plants. In fact, these insects feed on other pests, like aphids, that harm plants by feeding on plant leaves.
Can I release vacuumed ladybugs back into the wild?
When vacuumed gently using the nozzle attachment on a vacuum cleaner, ladybugs can be released back into the wild.