My daughter is having a problem with an infestation of ladybugs at her home. I see that you had an article in your July/August 1995 issue "Plague of Lady Bugs". If this deals with my daughters problem will you please e-mail this article to me, if posible.

Thank you, Phil Cote etoc@aol.com

-- Philip Cote (etoc@aol.com), October 31, 1999

Answers

Never have I heard or experienced lady bugs as a "plague". How are they bothersome? They are a beneficial insect that eats aphids and other real pests. Just courious.

-- Only eve (gen1eve@hotmail.com), November 01, 1999.

Until recently we lived in Wisconsin and we had a huge problem with Asian lady bugs. These are not the regular lady bugs, but were introduced or "accidentally" imported. They seemed to overwinter in our house and we felt that they reached pest status - maybe because they were not dormant, but got into everything. We certainly didn't have any aphids living in the house, but I can't imagine they would ever be a problem indoors!

Our cooperative pest bulletin (from the University of WI) reported many complaints of these pests.

Kim and David

-- kim (fleece@eritter.net), November 01, 1999.

Every fall our home in southern PA is invaded by ladybugs, although not nearly as bad this year as in the past. They come in around windows and end up in bed with us, in the kitchen sink, and other odd places. The only thing we know to do is sweep them up with a vacuum... every day! I see one or two in the garden all summer but come fall there are thousands in the house and thats no exaggeration! They also have a musty smell and sometimes they bite. If anyone has any suggestions I'd be glad to hear them.

-- mike (mleeyworm@juno.com), November 02, 1999.

A few years ago most "ladybug plagues" around here were actually box elder bugs. The "new" ladybugs are worse. The door is covered with them and you can't get in the house without being accompanied by a dozen bugs... which become as obnoxious as houseflies (but not as noisy). (There is one on my computer screen right now.) The UW entomologists told us the best (only?) solution is to vacuum them up... and wait for colder weather. (There will be more next spring, though.) They do have an odor if you squish them.

-- jd (belanger@midway.tds.net), November 03, 1999.

Think of these guys as beneficial. They show you the gaps in the south and west sides of your house that should be caulked before winter. Some people collect them, refrigerate and feed them during winter and release to the garden in spring. One can build collection boxes on the warm side of the house, and trap them. I just remember to cover soup on the back burner because they taste bitter.

-- Kendy Sawyer (sweetfire@grove.net), November 07, 1999.

Lady bugs taste AWFUL! Just ask the spiders and the venus fly traps. I have 2 plants that nearly die when they catch one of these. I have to pry it open with tweezers and get them out or the plant begins to turn black. :0( Patrice

-- Patrice Bertke (herbalgroup@skybest.com), November 08, 1999.

Ummm...[heeheehee] I don't have an [hahahaha] answer to your problem...~snurfle~ Vacuum the critters up is your best bet....~LOLOL~ They ARE beneficial tho... ummm...[heh heh hee...] This has GOT to be one of the funniest searies of posts I've seen next to the boiling water on the foreant mounds...~snicker~ Take care and good luck!

-- Satanta [the Whitebear] (SatantasRealm@mailcity.com), November 30, 1999.

These are a serious problem! Good bugs or not...They are not welcome here! If anyone has a sure fire way of trapping and killing these bugs..I would pay for the answer! Eddie

-- Eddie Day (eddiemary@stargate.net), April 08, 2002.

We've had them so bad in our hall that you literally could not put a finger on the ceiling without touching one. We dust bust 'em. Does anybody know if they have anything to do with honeybees? We used to have NO honeybees in our area- like 2 years ago- now, since the ladybugs have gotten bad, we are starting to see lots of honeybees. Is there any connection?

-- Gayle in KY (gayleannesmith@yahoo.com), April 08, 2002.

I know what you mean!!! I HATE thoose things! They get all in the house & when you kill them they smell awful! Don't you bet anyone saying not to worry about them doesn't have them in there house? lol! They get in our house all winter long & there so annoying. I'd love to find a better a better way to kill them. Right now I guess I'll have to keep using my flyswats & vaccums!

-- Chely Lancaster (chely@centralpets.com), April 09, 2002.