Lady Beetles

LADY BEETLE IDENTIFICATION

Detrimental lady beetles resemble beneficial ladybugs — until you take a closer look. Asian lady beetles are especially troublesome home-invading pests. About 1/3 inch long, these pests are larger and rounder than native ladybugs. Their bodies range in color from yellow and orange to black and red. A whitish area right behind their head carries a black M-shaped marking that distinguishes them from ladybugs.

Spots on invasive Asian lady beetles vary from none to 19 or more. Merging spots may create larger patches of color. In contrast, the number of spots on native ladybugs is constant within the species. Asian lady beetle larvae and ladybug larvae both look like small black-and-orange alligators. To avoid harming beneficial ladybugs, focus treatment efforts on adult lady beetles.

SIGNS OF LADY BEETLES

Also known as harlequin ladybirds, Asian lady beetles blend in with aphid-eating native ladybugs until cool fall temperatures arrive. Then these pests begin to swarm homes and enter structures through tiny cracks and crevices.

Invasive Asian lady beetles do several things that distinguish them from native ladybugs. When disturbed, these pests emit a foul odor — much like boxelder bugs or stink bugs. Their smelly, yellow-orange secretions stain whatever they touch. These pests also bite humans hard enough to break the skin. Infestations often cause allergic reactions in people.

HOW TO CONTROL LADY BEETLES

Effective lady beetle control starts early, before these pests make their move toward your home. Check your home foundation, doors and windows. Seal any openings where these and other overwintering pests may try to come in. Amdro offers several highly effective products to treat your lawn, landscape and home perimeter and protect against lady beetle invasions:

• Amdro Quick Kill Lawn Insect Killer Granules offers an easy way to treat your entire yard. Apply the ready-to-use granules with an ordinary lawn spreader, then water the treated area lightly. This releases the active ingredient to kill lady beetles by contact within 24 hours and keeps killing for up to three months.
• Amdro Quick Kill Insect Killer for Home Perimeter Granules create a barrier of protection around your home to kill lady beetles by contact before they make their way inside. The shaker container's ready-to-use granules contain two ingredients. Water lightly after application to release the active ingredients and protect your perimeter from lady beetles for three months.
• Amdro Quick Kill Insect Killer for Lawn & Landscape ready to spray and concentrate work in minutes to kill lady beetles by contact. Then these liquid formulas keep protecting against lady beetles for up to three months. Use these products to treat lawns, landscapes and flower gardens. You can even treat building foundations up to a height of 2 feet.

LADY BEETLE CONTROL TIPS

Overwintering lady beetles emerge indoors in large numbers on warm winter days. Vacuum these pests to reclaim your home, but use a bagged vacuum. A bagless vac may retain unpleasant smells and stains.

Always read product labels and follow the instructions carefully.

Amdro and Amdro Quick Kill are registered trademarks of Central Garden & Pet Company.