For years, gardeners in Maine have been told that Asian lady beetles, often referred to a ladybugs, were accidentally introduced to the area – but that simply isn’t true. These pests were released by the USDA to control aphids. According to Cornell University these insects were released in Maine between 1978 and 1982.
What began as an attempt at biological control for aphids has resulted in an abundance of ladybugs that flock to homes in the fall and crawl into cracks around windows and doors to overwinter. Although they do not breed in the home, hundreds or thousands of these beetles hibernate within the walls of the home.
In early spring, when the weather warms, windows may be swarmed with these annoying pests as they emerge. Although they are not dangerous and rarely bite humans, they do create a nuisance.
If disturbed, the Asian ladybug releases an orange substance that emits a foul odor and stains clothing and furniture. According to Susan C. Jones, Ph.D.Assistant Professor of Entomology at Ohio State University, this response is called reflex bleeding and the substance emitted is actually the beetle’s blood.
Preventing ladybugs from entering your home is easier that ridding them once they have made their way inside – but that is no easy task. These insects crawl into cracks to gain access to the home. Some preventive measures include:
- Sealing cracks around windows
- Replacing broken screens
- Caulking around windows and doors
Once inside the most effective solution is vacuuming them and releasing them away from the home. Care should be taken not to injure ladybugs as they devour aphids and other harmful insects in the garden.
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