Lady Beetle
Order: Coleoptera
Scientific Name: Coccinellidae
Appearance: Oval-shaped dome body, bright red in color with a black head and distinctive black spots on the wings
Size: 1-10 mm
What is a Lady Beetle?
Lady beetles are generally known to have a bright red color with distinguished black spots. However, they can have more of an orange appearance with many, few, or no spots at all. Lady beetles are predators for garden insects and were purposefully introduced to the United States in order to help control insect populations feeding on crops.
Though their presence can be beneficial under the right circumstances, lady beetle populations can get out of hand and become bothersome especially when they find their way indoors. Lady beetles breed in the spring and give off a pheromone to attract a mate. Eggs will hatch in midsummer and will develop through four stages before reaching adulthood.
Why do I have Lady Beetles?
Lady beetles are typically found in greater numbers when aphid populations are high. Lady beetles prefer aphids more than any other insect. When beetles find a suitable location they will give off a smell that attracts other lady beetles. While they will not reproduce indoors, lady beetles will attract their kind inside for shelter and become active in the late spring upon warming temperatures.
Lady beetles presence often goes unknown until an ‘outbreak’ occurs. If lady beetles have found their way indoors an abundance of them may be experienced in the spring as they prepare to migrate outdoors to begin feeding and mating.
How do I get rid of Lady Beetles?
Lady beetles can cause unpleasant odors and staining if they are disrupted. Vacuuming them is the best method for removal as it will prevent any staining and can preserve them if vacuum contents are emptied outside. Upon fist detection, it is important to begin removal as lady beetles will attract more of their kind.
Preventing lady beetle entry is the best defense against an outbreak. Ensure possible entry points are properly sealed. If an outbreak has occurred it is recommended to partner with a pest control specialist who can remediate the situation and help prevent future outbreaks. Click Here for Details on our General Pest & Outdoor Plan
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