Seasonal swarms of Asian lady beetles bug

**Libby** · 10-22-2009, 07:57 AM

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationwo...,5077735.story

Now I thought I was nuts seeing tons of ladybugs in the area over this past week however it's 'normal'. So far I am lucky that its not within my own home. I heard that these beetles are literally stupid and will sit/set to hibernate wherever they've landed as soon as it cools down and once the temperature warms up, they start moving about again. Apparently you can freeze them (store them in the freezer) and once you thaw them, they will come back to life! Ick!! Its due to their beetle exterior. Best way to rid of them is to vacuum them up and release them back outside, if you have them in your home.

Anyone else dealing with this right now?

**monkeywrangler71** · 10-22-2009, 08:11 AM

They showed up yesterday.

**Sara Noel** · 10-22-2009, 09:20 AM

They're here. *said in my best Poltergeist voice*

**fixer** · 10-22-2009, 09:29 AM

As someone who has battled insects for most of my life, I have a lot of respect for beetles. They are, without a doubt, the toughest to control. I use a shop vac to deal with mine in the house. I have yet to see them this year.

**madkat2618** · 10-22-2009, 09:38 AM

I have a few in my house. I don't mind them--they remind me of summer. They like to hang out on the plants in my kitchen window.

**ml2620** · 10-22-2009, 09:46 AM

I had them all over the outside of my (white) house and barn Tuesday. Probably not by coincidence, a flock of about 200-300 birds (dark, mid-sized - I couldn't figure out what they were) gathered in our pasture and woods shortly after the lady bugs arrived. I have to ask my husband if they lady bugs are still around - I'm at work from dark to dark these days and I don't get to see these things (these lady bugs were the topic of my blog post for Tuesday).

**wwe11** · 10-22-2009, 10:36 AM

We have had just a couple. Last year was a different story.

**ahmom** · 10-22-2009, 11:29 AM

I have them too. They won't hurt you at all. They will be gone soon.

**shoiji** · 10-22-2009, 12:24 PM

I always heard they were good luck and you could also make a wish with them. Wow, you guys must be really lucky and busy right now. lol

I haven't seen this, but it is time for the bi-yearly swarms of black birds. It is just like the Alfred Hitchcock movie!!!

**NewLeaf** · 10-22-2009, 07:34 PM

They have started arriving in groups. We live in Viginia and have had 2 or 3 frosts. The lady bugs started coming after the frosts. Last year they came in the thousands. I put sticky tape (the kind on a lint roller) on my swiffer and got them off the ceiling by sticking them w/the swiffer. I think they actually nest in homes in wads in attics if you don't get rid of them. We have never tried poison or any kind of sprays. Our house faces north , has a white porch on a dark red brick house, and is on a sunny hill. The extension agent said these types of houses attract the bugs. At first I thought they were cute, then as 14 years went by and ea. year their numbers grew I began hating them with a passion. They stink , especially if you squish one. They have been known to bite. And my poor 7 yr old son is terrified of them.

**never2late** · 10-22-2009, 11:40 PM

The absence of swarms of them has been the only good thing about the really cold October we have had. We had a beautiful day on Monday and those darn things just about drove me nuts in one day. We have an old farm house and they always manage to find a way in. If you hang wash on the line, you better give it a good shake before you bring it in!

We've had them here for quite a number of years already. I believe I heard it was something the Ag dept brought in to combat aphids.

It's just really sad that I can't distinguish between them and lady bugs (that is unless you squish them and get that rotten pumpkin smell!).

We have a number of soybean fields around us and it seems that doesn't help either.

And their bite really does hurt!

**Monner 1** · 10-23-2009, 07:55 AM

They have started coming in here in upstate NY. I can't stand the Asian ones like you have said they stink and they do bite. One night my daughter-in-law woke up and her nose hurt so she blew her nose and out came a lady bug. I have been freaked out ever since. I kill any that come into my house. I don't mind it if they stay outside but inside is my domain.

Monner

**Trishagirl** · 10-23-2009, 08:08 AM

I've seen a few the other day when it warmed up and I mentioned it to dh that the ladybugs are back uggg! I hope we don't get the swarms!

**Pianolady** · 10-23-2009, 08:48 AM

It froze last week here, then we had a big warm up. Boy, did these things come out! The front of our house gets warmed up by the morning sun, and was covered in these bugs. If we opened the front door, 10 or so would get in each time. They get smashed in the door frame, and stink up the place. And yes, they do bite. When we left the house, we'd run, then stand in the middle of the yard flicking them off our clothes before we get into the car. It is gross....and yes, they do bite, but I've only been bitten a few times over the years.