How do you get rid of ladybugs?

calico2222

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So, we moved into our "old" new house (MIL's old farmhouse). It needs a LOT of work with first priority being new windows and insulation. I can deal with it for the most part except for the small room off the bedroom. It has one tiny window that is COVERED with ladybugs. I'm talking inside and out, they are on the ceiling and the walls. This is basically a walk in closet where our clothes go and it's really freaking me out. Yesterday, DH taped up the edges of the window with duct tape and I vacuumed them all off the window and ceiling and 15 minutes later everything was covered again! It's like Amnityville Horror meets Rainbow Brite!

Don't get me wrong, I like ladybugs and don't mind one or two getting in, but this is ridiculous. Any suggestions?

(Just to be clear, this is an old window with wooden framing. Single pane. I can see them being about to get inside the screen with the window closed since the screen is probably older than dirt, but we taped all over the wooden framing basically taping the window shut but they are still coming in. We can't see any other holes around it...could they be in the siding which is also older than dirt?)
 

persi & alley

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Originally Posted by calico2222

So, we moved into our "old" new house (MIL's old farmhouse). It needs a LOT of work with first priority being new windows and insulation. I can deal with it for the most part except for the small room off the bedroom. It has one tiny window that is COVERED with ladybugs. I'm talking inside and out, they are on the ceiling and the walls. This is basically a walk in closet where our clothes go and it's really freaking me out. Yesterday, DH taped up the edges of the window with duct tape and I vacuumed them all off the window and ceiling and 15 minutes later everything was covered again! It's like Amnityville Horror meets Rainbow Brite!

Don't get me wrong, I like ladybugs and don't mind one or two getting in, but this is ridiculous. Any suggestions?

(Just to be clear, this is an old window with wooden framing. Single pane. I can see them being about to get inside the screen with the window closed since the screen is probably older than dirt, but we taped all over the wooden framing basically taping the window shut but they are still coming in. We can't see any other holes around it...could they be in the siding which is also older than dirt?)
But I just saw an ad from Texas A&M, selling live lady bugs by the pound. Supposedly gardeners just love them for their soil activities whatever that means.
 

otto

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You want these:

http://www.gardeners.com/Asian-Ladyb...efault,cp.html

These lady bugs are not really lady bugs, they are Asian Lady Beetles. A mistake from the USA government in the 1970s.

These traps have saved my sanity. My apartment is infested from October to May. Thousands a day, I do not exaggerate. They get in the food, my clothes, my hair, They bite and they stain and they stink. And Mazy cat is deathly allergic to them.

And they breed and breed and breed.

Since I began using these traps, two years now, I can live in my apartment without the constant horrors anymore.

I have two reviews on these in the link provided. Disregard the reviews of the people who say they don't work. Those people must be doing something wrong, because these traps are MIRACLE workers.
 

otto

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Originally Posted by Persi & Alley

But I just saw an ad from Texas A&M, selling live lady bugs by the pound. Supposedly gareners just love them for their soil activities whatever that means.
those are real lady bugs. These disgusting things that congregate in people's homes are not. They are Asian Lady Beetles.
 
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calico2222

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Yeah, these aren't real ladybugs, these are asian lady beetles which were introduced to eat the aphids on plants. Which is great! But I have no plants inside so they are basically screwed...LOL!

I did read up on them and infestation on different websites, and basically they really can't harm anything (as in clothes, wood, etc), they are just a bother. Since spring is just staring to come, it's warm outside, but still warmer inside so they are confused and come inside instead. A friend said to smear full strength dawn dishwashing liquid around the window to help keep them outside. Don't know what it is about Dawn...maybe the de-greaser factor?

I also read a black light trap would help, that that costs more that I'm willing to spend.

Hey, I'd rather deal with Ladybugs (even false ladybugs) than cockroaches!!

Now, how can I get rid of the darned stink bugs????
 

otto

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The stink bugs come with the asian lady beetles. those things make my skin crawl. Seriously, I could feel the hair raise on the back of my neck just reading your post. (the stink bugs)

The traps in the link I posted work for the asian lady beetles. In October of every fall the south side of my house is plastered with the disgusting beetles, black with them for about a week. Opening the door causes a shower of them to fall on me. They cover my ceilings. They get in my food. They stain, and bite.

The traps have saved my sanity. I no longer dread winter in my own home.


PS the government wanted lady bugs for the aphids yes, but these things are not lady bugs and do not eat the aphids.
 
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