Ladybeetles: It’s not my fault

Howard Russell
Diagnostic Services

Several times over the past month the first thing I hear when answering the telephone is, “Are you the one I should thank for these %&#@$# lady beetles?”

“It’s not my fault, ma’am,” I reply.

I don’t really think these callers think I am responsible for our little friends, but they definitely DO think that someone is. Most blame the DNR, many blame the MDA or USDA, and a few blame MSU and some have blamed farmers for all the lady beetles they have crawling around their homes. It is true that USDA made several attempts to introduce the Asian lady beetle to control aphids in the South. However, it appears that all of these attempts failed and the beetle became established on its own by jumping ship off the coast near New Orleans. Regardless of how they got here, there is not much we can do about it now.

They’re everywhere and in everything, they bite, they stink, and they really, really annoy people.

I have ‘em too. The house I live in must look like a sieve to them. I have to sweep them out of my bed before retiring. I wake up during night when they crawl on my face. I find ‘em in my coffee cup. The woman of the house complains and she does genuinely blame me, and probably, rightly so. A better man would probably do something. Most die in our light fixtures, many die by my own hand. I’m beginning to like the smell of a crushed lady beetle in the morning; it’s the smell of victory, albeit, a small one.

While it is true that Asian lady beetles are beneficial insects in soybean fields and trees, once they are in my home, they are pests plain and simple. If there weren’t so many of them I’d be more tolerant. If they were more like the polite boxelder bugs that also invade my home, I’d be more tolerant. The more PC members of my profession advocate restraint in dealing with Asian lady beetles. To that, I say phooey. If people what to spray to kill off the lady beetles in their homes, who am I to tell them they shouldn’t? I tell them the best juice to use. I prefer the long lasting properties of cyfluthrin (sold as Bayer Advanced Home Insect Control).

Most call the university hoping the ivory halls will have an answer to their problem. I tell them that I am going to disappoint them and in most cases, I do just that. I have no miracle cure. But at least they have been able to vent their frustration. There is no easy solution to the beetles once they’re inside. Insecticide sprays will kill the ones that are out and about, but sprays are not going to have much of an affect on those beetles still inside the walls and ceilings.

One thing that might help reduce their numbers is a light trap. There are many commercial traps for sale but they are pretty pricey. I have come across one that is more reasonably priced and it’s cute. Gardeners Supply out of Burlington, Vermont offers a small black light trap for Asian lady beetles. Their asking price is $39.95. The trap comes with “natural pheromone” lures, which are probably not needed to catch the beetles. The black light should be all that’s required to do the job. The trap can be viewed at: www.gardeners.com. Just double click “Pest Control” listed on the left side of their home page and the trap will come up. Instructions are included to keep your trapped ladybugs in mint condition so you can release them in the spring (they must be kidding), or to dispose of them safely if you prefer. Their telephone number is (888) 833-1412.

Don’t expect any let up soon. The beetles will likely be crawling about our homes for another six weeks or so. Remember, it’s not my fault!