Pestilence of the Moment - Act II

Image of Asian Lady Beetles from University of Kentucky.

Back in July 16, 2009, I talked about the Pestilence of the Moment - Japanese Beetles. Today, we have another Pestilence of the Moment, the Asian Lady Beetles Harmonia axyridis.

Yesterday, there were a few beetles in my house. Today, an invasion to the point I couldn't open windows and doors and had to use my hand vac before walking in certain parts of the house. UGGG!!! It begins!!!

We live in an old yellow home and it's impossible to close every gap where a little insect might crawl through. We have tried (mostly for energy loss reasons) and we are still failing. I have never seen them this bad and all at once.

We are surrounded by soybean fields this year and almost overnight the beans have turned from green to brown/gold. The aphids and scale insects that eat the green leaves of soybeans are the food of choice for these beetles. One beetle can consume hundreds a day. Right before the first frost, they seek winter shelter.

These are not our native lady bugs, they are from Asian and the first field populations in the United States were found in Louisiana in 1988. They now are found as far north as Canada.

Should you care, the ones with the most spots are usually female and the ones with few or no spots are male. There are multiple generations per year and they can live up to three years. They do not reproduce in your home nor do they eat anything in the home.

They have few natural enemies because of the foul odor they emit when disturbed. This stinky stuff can stain material and wallpaper.

They are in homes because they are seeking winter protection. They tend to like surfaces that are in the sun on sunny afternoons. If your house is white, gray or yellow, they think it's a mountain and are attracted as if it was their native ranges. Although they want to stay in one place all winter and hibernate, they can be fooled into thinking it's spring and wander into the home.

Some people may have allergic reactions such as eye itching to asthma attacks where there are large infestations. They can bite but cause no serious damage.

Here is the advice given if you have an infestation:

1. Learn to tolerate.


2. Do not touch eyes after touching beetles.


3. Vacuum them up. (They often stink if you use a broom)


4. Seal all entry points.


5. Aerosol insecticides foggers in the home are not effective.


6. Apply insecticides to building exteriors in the fall, which helps prevent pest entry. This barrier is best done by a professional because it is a barrier. Obviously, this must be done prior to the first beetle entering.


7. The current marketed Lady bug "houses" and traps seldom work.

The Asian Lady Beetles are considered beneficial insects. They eat plant damaging insects to the point insecticide use has decreased on some farm operations (such as pecan orchards). The USDA also predicts the natural enemies of these insects will eventually catch up to them and the balance of nature will again even out.

Should you want to try to vacuum them AND return them outside: Put the foot of nylon hose over the end of your vacuum hose and attach with a rubber band. Let the foot portion go inside the hose forming a "cup". As you sweep, they will collect in the hose and then simply detach and shake outside.