Asian Lady Beetle
For many homes in our area, Ladybugs though cute are a real inside nuisance in the spring. I lived in a home one time that they loved and I can say that one can develop an obsession with trying to rid your home of them. During their off-time (winter), they hibernate in and around buildings (our homes). While hibernating, they are not laying eggs but just taking a rest. Come Spring, just like the rest of us, they try to make their way outside though many end up congregating on our windows where it is warm and sunny. It seems that they are multiplying before our eyes for about a 2-week period.
However, Ladybugs are important in agricultural areas because of their ability to consume large quantities of plant eating insects such as aphids. This particular ladybug is really the Multicolored Asian Lady “Beetle”. They made their way to the US through accidental and planned releases. Though a nuisance, they are not harmful to our homes unless they are squashed and cause a stain. The best solution for riddance is patience and the vacuum. And yes when vacuumed, they do smell a tad.
