Ladybugs are cute, and an essential part of every kid’s bug box. They are not so pleasing when they are in your home. Ladybugs should stay outside. When they come in, it’s time to call in the professionals because these cute red bugs won’t want to leave.
About the Ladybug
Ladybugs are not, in fact, only females, but you probably already knew that. These red and black – or orange and black – bugs have a few more secrets, too. What you don’t know about these cute bugs can become a big pain later on.
The ladybug is actually a beetle. Yes, a beetle; you know – the bugs you don’t like. There are about 5,000 different ladybug species in the world. Ladybugs have insatiable appetites, which is great for farmers and bad for homeowners and renters. One or two ladybugs can be great for keeping pests such as aphids off your plants, crops, and houseplants by laying eggs on the plants and in aphid swarms. This feeding activity, however, is exactly why they are an issue, too.
A ladybug’s life isn’t a short one – about 2 to 3 years – and during this time, ladybugs can produce as many as 10 to 15 eggs every day. Think about how many eggs that is for one female in a week, and over the course of her 2 to 3 year lifetime. Ladybug infestations can come on swiftly for a few reasons: they reproduce often, they reproduce many, and they lay their eggs on the underside of plant leaves – out of sight, out of mind.
Are Ladybugs Dangerous?
No, ladybugs are not dangerous or harmful to your health. They are one of the most valued insects for farmers and home gardeners. In the past, doctors used to crush up ladybugs and use them as cures for toothaches, so you can rest assured that they are not poisonous or dangerous to consume.
The worst part about eating a ladybug is the taste, and your cats, kids, and dogs will figure that out quickly. Ladybugs secrete a bitter taste as a natural defense against predators.
Ladybugs Need a Home in the Fall
Ladybugs need a place to hibernate during the cold winter months, and they begin house hunting in the fall. Ladybugs are attracted to homes because they emit heat. Once the ladybug decides it wants to stay, it releases a pheromone that invites the rest to follow up and take shelter. The pheromone is next to impossible to get rid of if you try to go at it alone. The pheromone can stay for years, which means the ladybugs will keep coming back in droves.
How to Prevent Ladybugs
No one wants hundreds of ladybugs in their home, no matter how cute this red beetle is. You can take steps to deter ladybugs, control infestations, and prevent them from returning year after year.
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Do not leave windows, doors, screens, and garage doors open or cracked.
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Seal the areas around your home.
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Discourage children from bringing ladybugs in the home.
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Contact a professional who can provide you inclusion, control, and prevention methods or ladybugs.
Adam’s Pest Control has the professional services and experience to help you prevent ladybugs before they take over your home this fall. Call now for your consultation.
