Biology
Asian lady beetles are often mistaken for their similarly-looking family members, ladybugs. Asian lady beetles can be found in various shades of red and orange, making it difficult to tell the difference between them and ladybugs. They also tend to be a bit larger than other ladybug species. One of the best ways to tell them apart is by the black M-shaped marking on their heads.
While Asian lady beetles are helpful in their control of agricultural pest populations, they can also easily become an indoor pest. Since their introduction to the United States in the early 20th century they have become more common than even native ladybug species, often invading homes.
Habits
The primary problem with Asian lady beetles is that they are invasive. Thousands of them will swarm to an area that’s warm and sunny. This is why we often see them gathered on windows and walls that are exposed to lots of sunlight. They are dormant in the winter, spending it in all the nooks and crannies of your walls, attics, and eaves. This means that they are most invasive in the fall since they’re looking for a place to stay and overwinter.
Unlike ladybugs, Asian lady beetles defend themselves with a technique called “reflex bleeding”. The yellow liquid that they release when scared or crushed has an unpleasant smell and can leave stains, making them a tricky pest to remove from your home. They are also known to bite, causing allergic reactions in some people.
Control
You can remove these pests by sweeping and vacuuming your home, but this can be difficult to do without triggering their defense chemicals. The catch-and-release technique might also work temporarily, but Asian lady beetles will return to an area if they can.
The best way to tackle a pest problem is with professional pest control. With over 35 years in the pest control business, Masters Pest Control can easily eliminate any of your pest problems. Give us a call now!