The Ladybugs Are In The House: Now What?

NASHVILLE, TN — Usually around the third week of October, Tennesseans start to see ladybugs clinging to exterior windows and then making their way inside.

The good news is ladybugs — entomologists would prefer they be called ladybirds or lady beetles, as they are not true bugs (seriously) — are largely harmless, unless you happen to be an aphid. The bad news is, well, nobody really wants teeny insects flitting about their house all winter.

Unfortunately, pest control experts and entomologists agree, once they make it inside, there's very little that can be done. Pest control companies suggest sucking them up with an extension on a vacuum cleaner, but insect scientists, particularly those focused on agriculture, say even that's extreme, because while the most prevalent species — the Asian or harlequin ladybird — is invasive, it actually does good work clearing aphids from nut and fruit trees, in particular. And vacuuming may not rid the house of the ladybugs' carcasses, which could attract truly detrimental pests like carpet beetles.

"Remember, these beetles are providing a service for us (killing pest aphids) and should not be killed whenever possible," according to University of Tennessee professor of entomology Karen Vail. "Eventually, the beetle’s population will exceed its food supply or natural enemies may become more abundant, and the populations
will crash or reach a lower level without our interference."

So what to do? Theoretically, it's possible to keep them until the spring, when they might do a solid in the garden.

"Lady beetles can be collected, placed on a piece of cardboard in a jar with air holes in the lid and stored in the refrigerator. Once a week, take the jar out of the refrigerator and sprinkle a little water into the jar. As the beetles warm, they become active and drink the water. After they are finished drinking (about 30 minutes), place the jar back in the refrigerator. Do not place the jar in direct sunlight or other warm areas for
very long. In spring, when the aphids are plentiful or pollen is available from herbs or other plants and daytime temperatures remain above 55 degrees F, these predators may be released outdoors in a protected site near the garden," Vail suggests.

The prolific species has only been in North America for 100 years or so, first introduced into California in 1916 and then into other agricultural states — particularly those with large nut industries, like Georgia — in the 1960s and 1970s.

Since then, they've spread nationwide and even into Europe and Africa. They start making their way inside in search of warmer temperatures between September and November.

While it's probably too late to do much of anything about them this year, scientists and exterminators agree that preparations can be made to exclude a subsequent invasion by ensuring doors, windows, cracks and other openings be sealed and treated with a chemical pesticide before the middle of September.

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 03: A Harlequin Ladybird prepares to take flight on November 3, 2016 in London, England. Harlequin Ladybirds are an invasive species original from Asia and have been seen in high numbers across the UK after a warm and dry summer. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)