It’s November in Virginia, which means that one of our common house pests returns in prolific numbers: Asian Lady Beetles! Not to be confused with native red Ladybugs, these orange beetles are invasive and can cause problems for your pets and home. Though not extremely harmful, these can be a nuisance when they swarm around your home and try to invest your porch and garage. So how can you get manage their numbers so that your home isn’t overrun by these cute but annoying bugs? Read on!
In November, swarms of Asian Ladybeetles seem to set up camp around your home overnight. Seeking a place to shelter for the winter, their staggering numbers can be shocking to a homeowner who once had a spotless porch. If you ever want to know if you indeed have Lady Beetles on your hand, just know that the mere fact that they are trying to nest in your home for the winter confirms they are Lady Beetles. Here are the main differences:
Lady Bugs:
- Mainly feed on aphids
- Doesn’t bite
- Doesn’t seek warm shelter in the winter
- Is bright reddish-orange or red
- Has 13 or fewer spots
Asian Lady Beetles:
- Eats aphids and other pests
- Also eats beneficial bugs like ladybugs
- Can bite
- Has orange colored wings, but can also be black, yellow and red-orange
- Leaves a smelly liquid that triggers allergies or asthma
- Tries to invade warm homes in the winter
- Gathers in groups
- Attracted to bright surfaces
- Has two white lines behind the head
- Has many types of spot patterns
- Is known to “dive attack” — though they don’t technically hurt you, being randomly smacked by a flying bug is a nuisance
Why Asian Lady Beetles Can Cause Harm
If you’re not a pet owner, gardener, or don’t have significant allergies, the lady beetle is just a nuisance. However, these bugs can irritate pets that try to eat the bugs or invade fall fruits and vegetables for a miserable harvest. They can also eat other Ladybugs that are actually beneficial to your garden. Its important to get rid of Lady Beetles when you see them or else they will take refuge in your home and come back in the spring.
How To Get Rid of Asian Lady Beetles
There are a few ways to get rid of these pests so that your home can become yours once more. The sooner your start, the fewer Lady Beetles you’ll see as the season goes on:
- Hire a professional exterminator. This is the tried and true way to get things under control and prevent new infestations.
- Hose the bugs away. This treatment is only temporary and not as effective as vacuuming, but it helps when you are in a pinch.
- Vacuum the bugs and set them free far away from your home. Since many die quickly, you’ll likely be cleaning up a lot of dead bugs.
If they get in your home, don’t squish them! The smell and liquid they give off can trigger allergies and just be unpleasant. Vacuum them or sweep them up to release outdoors.
Reinforce Your Home
Homes that have faulty roofs, attics, and seals around doors/windows are more susceptible to Asian Lady Beetle infestations. Get your home inspected today to make sure that all is up to date. Noble Roofing can help identify any breaches in your roof and offer recommendations to seal off exposed spaces in your roofing system, so give us a call today!
Trust Your Roof Replacement to Noble Roofing
Whether you’re looking for better form or function, or simply feel that a new roof is in order, trust Noble Roofing, the preferred choice for roof replacement in Centreville VA and surrounding cities. Give us a call at (703) 404-0505 to speak with our roofing experts. You can also request a free estimate through our online request form today.
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