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Ladybugs In Homes
- The multicolored Asian lady beetle at home -
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Summary: This particular lady beetle (ladybug) was intentionally imported into the US to help control aphid pests. Ironically, it has been so successful that large populations sometimes develop and become nuisance pests that infest homes.
Jack DeAngelis, PhD
OSU Ext. Entomologist (ret.)
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The problem with ladybugs
 Ladybugs, or lady beetles, are normally beneficial insects in that all active stages are predators of garden pests like aphids and spider mites. In other words, we want lady beetles in our gardens. The problem happens when adult beetles try to enter our homes in the fall with the purpose of sheltering there until spring.
Most lady beetles head for the hills in the fall and shelter in natural cavities. A new imported species, the multicolored Asian lady beetle, likes to spend winters at lower elevations and our houses happen to be very handy. If they gain entry they can be a pest all winter. They do no direct harm but some believe they contribute to indoor allergies and their droppings can be very messy.
misspellings and misnomers: asian lady bug beetle, ladybugs, ladybeetle
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Harmonia axyridis, the multicolor Asian lady beetle; photo by USDA/ARS; many color forms are possible.
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What are Asian lady beetles?
The multicolored Asian lady beetle, Harmonia axyridis, is not native to the US. The beetle was intentionally imported a number of years ago to control aphids that feed in trees. This lady beetle has been so successful, however, that populations have increased to the point that in some areas the beetles have become a nuisance pest. So, on the one hand, they serve a beneficial purpose as predators of pest aphids but they are also seen as pests themselves by some homeowners.
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What to do to about Harmonia
Try to prevent lady beetles from entering homes in the fall by sealing cracks, fixing broken screens, and so forth. These measures will have the added benefit of sealing out other pests as well as the weather.
If beetles get indoors sweep them up and deposit them outside. Some people even store them in the refrigerator for release into the garden in the spring; give them a little water in a plastic container. In either case don't resort to insecticides. Insecticides won't be very effective and they can cause health problems too.
Remember, as pesky as lady beetles may be indoors, outdoors they really are good for your landscape and garden as natural predators.
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Mission: To provide accurate, up-to-date and unbiased information for solving common insect and mite problems around your home, business and landscape using least-toxic methods.
Jack DeAngelis, Ph.D.
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