Why ladybird infestation

While it is best to avoid killing the insects if an infestation is particularly bad it is best to vacuum them up and then carefully empty the bag outside. Ladybirds are completely harmless, according to Wilson and he recommends they are left alone if they are found in your home.

They have been known to bite humans although this is said to be extremely rare and their bites rarely cause any sort of reaction. Ladybirds do give out a foul-smelling odour which is done to deter predators which can have a toxic effect but they are not poisonous to humans.

The common two-spot ladybird can often be found in lofts or in corners of cool room in homes as well as in corners of window frames and doors.

Physically relocating the colony will discourage more from joining if the infestation has not grown too large. After they are removed, wash the area with soap to eliminate any chemical trails used to attract more bugs. If your infestation has grown out of control and it is too difficult to simply relocate the colony, dish soap is a simple way to get rid of a large range of small bugs in your home.

Spray a colony with soapy water or leave a bowl that combines soap and water near a light source where they gather. The thickness of the soap keeps the ladybugs from leaving the water easily. Hard-to-reach ladybugs can be lifted up with duct tape wrapped around your hand or finger. This allows you to safely remove the colony and relocate them outside.

You can also simply leave duct tape out to act as an easy trap. Diatomaceous Earth offers an easy way to kill bugs in your home. The white powder can typically be found online or even at your local home repair store. Sprinkle the powder around your colony or at the edges of common entry points to both deter and eliminate new infestations.

Make a ladybug-friendly light trap at home with common items in your kitchen. Cut a plastic soda bottle in half and flip the top half into the bottom portion to create a funnel.

Add an LED light into the funnel, leaving room for the ladybugs to enter the bottom of the bottle. The beetles will flock toward the light but then get stuck in the trap, ready for release outside. When the fall rolls around, fill your home, garden, and porches with mums—a plant ladybugs particularly hate.

Since this is the prime season ladybugs will come looking for a place to stay for the winter, the smell of the mums will deter them from filling your property. A range of herbs and essential oils can also deter ladybugs from gathering or entering your home in the first place. Be sure to check if these items are safe for pets and children if they are in an easy-to-access location. In the case of essential oils, dilute a few drops in a carrier oil or a spritzer bottle and spread across the areas where the bugs congregate.

You can also find a range of very thorough ladybug repellents and killers online. Many of the sprays aim to keep ladybugs from gathering and kill bugs if they do come in contact with the dried spray. Ladybugs can hide in walls, crevices, and other small spaces simply too difficult to scope out on your own. Terminix, Orkin, and Aptive provide comprehensive pest management services both to diagnose and treat your pest issue.

As lovely as ladybugs are outdoors, you do not want them quickly reproducing in your home. Here is a collection of commonly asked questions about ladybug infestations and how to handle them quickly. This is very uncommon, however, and ladybird bites rarely cause a significant reaction. Some ladybirds carry disease, namely the Harlequin species which has had a lot of media attention in the past due to the sexually transmitted fungal disease it carries. This can only be passed on to other insects through mating, though, so you and your pets should be fine.

Ladybirds are relatively harmless. However, if disturbed, they can produce a foul-smelling liquid which also stains furniture. There are many humane options for getting rid of ladybirds which should ideally be your first port of call but killing them may be the only option for those who have found that nothing else works.

Ladybirds can deter certain predators from eating them due to a foul odour which has toxic effects, but they are not poisonous to humans. No, but their numbers are potentially under threat from the invasive Harlequin species which has spread to several parts of the country. Here at Pest Defence, we offer fully-accredited pest control services carried out by trained professionals. We operate throughout Essex and the surrounding areas, including Brentwood, Southend and Colchester. We can provide solutions to virtually any pest issues you may have, whether you need advice on prevention or a full-scale infestation removal.

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Speak to a specialist on for guidance. How To Get Rid of Ladybirds and Prevent An Infestation Ladybirds are less scary-looking than your typical insect, but just like any other pest, they can cause significant disruption when they appear in large numbers.