1578 Reviews
Asian Lady Beetles in Tennessee: Why Are They Suddenly All Over My House?
If you’ve been seeing Asian lady beetles all over your Marshall County home, it must be fall in Tennessee. Asian lady beetles gather around Tennessee homes in fall because cooling temperatures trigger them to look for protected places to overwinter. The warm, sun-exposed walls of your house can attract large groups of these pests. Once on the exterior of your house, they move through cracks and gaps to get inside, then find sheltered areas like attics and wall voids where they spend the winter.
Although Asian lady beetles are considered nuisance pests, it’s still frustrating to find them in your home. They show up in large numbers, give off an unpleasant odor when crushed, and stain fabrics. Just when you think they’ve disappeared, an unusually warm winter day can make them appear again. Find out what you need to know about Asian lady beetles in your Tennessee home below.
How Can You Tell an Asian Lady Beetle From a Ladybug?
Asian lady beetles are frequently mistaken for native ladybugs. Although the two look quite similar, there are several key differences between the species. First, Asian lady beetles can be red, yellow, or orange, while ladybugs are always vibrant red. Their body shapes also differ slightly, with Asian lady beetles having oval-shaped, elongated bodies and ladybugs having rounder, dome-shaped bodies. Asian lady beetles also have different markings than ladybugs. While ladybugs have consistent black spots on each side of their body, Asian lady beetle spots can vary. Asian lady beetles also have an M-shaped marking that ladybugs do not have.
Why Are Asian Lady Beetles Suddenly Swarming My House?
Every fall, as the temperature gets colder, it triggers a behavior in Asian lady beetles called overwintering. They gather in large groups on sunny exterior walls, which are typically south or west-facing. These walls are often warmer than the exterior air, giving them the temporary shelter they need.
Because they gather in such large groups, this phenomenon can seem extremely sudden. It’s compounded by the fact that once a group starts to gather, it can signal other Asian lady beetles to the same area, making the gathering even larger.
Where Do Asian Lady Beetles Go Once They Get Inside?
Once on your exterior walls, Asian lady beetles find openings that allow them into your Marshall County home. They may find gaps around window or door frames, holes along rooflines, or cracks in the siding. These pests are not moving indoors to search for food; they’re looking for warm shelter.
After they get inside, you’re likely to see them around your house for several days as they look for a good hiding space to overwinter. Common areas of shelter include:
- Wall voids
- Attics
- Around windows
- Behind siding
- Soffits
- Gaps around doors
- Other cracks and sheltered spaces
Once they’ve found their overwintering space, you may think you won’t see them again, but they often come out during unseasonably warm winter and early spring days. On these days, they’ll move towards light sources, like windows, looking for a way back outside. Once spring warms up for good, Asian lady beetles will show up again as they move outdoors.
Should You Be Worried About Asian Lady Beetles in Your Home?
The good news about Asian lady beetles is that you don’t have to worry about them damaging your house or making your family sick. They don’t eat wood, damage structural elements of your house, infest stored food, or chew wiring.
Instead, Asian lady beetles are considered nuisance pests. They’ll get indoors in large numbers, emit a yellowish, defensive fluid, stain walls and fabrics, give off an unpleasant odor when disturbed or crushed, and occasionally bite or pinch.
Why Shouldn't You Crush Asian Lady Beetles?
It’s normal to try to squish the Asian lady beetles you see in your house. However, that’s not the best way to deal with them. If you crush them, they can stain your belongings and give off an unpleasant odor.
How Can You Get Rid of Asian Lady Beetles Inside?
Instead of crushing them, vacuum up the Asian lady beetles you see in your house, then dispose of the vacuum contents. It’s important to remember that killing the beetles you see will not get rid of your Asian lady beetle infestation. The bugs that have gotten inside and found a place to shelter are still in your house and new ones can still get inside through the entry points around your exterior.
How Can You Keep Asian Lady Beetles Out of Your House?
Instead of simply getting rid of the Asian lady beetles you can see in your house, the best way to take care of an infestation is to get rid of the ones in your house and prevent new ones from getting inside. Exclusion is the first step in a long-term prevention strategy.
Inspect around the exterior of your house and seal:
- Window and door gaps
- Utility penetrations
- Siding gaps
- Eaves and fascia
- Roofline openings
- Attic and foundation vents
- Cracks around exterior trim
We also recommend:
- Repairing torn screens
- Replacing worn weatherstripping
- Installing door sweeps where needed
- Caulking appropriate exterior gaps
Prevention is most effective before large numbers begin moving into structures. Start early in the season before Asian lady beetles start gathering on your walls. Inspect areas where beetles gathered during previous fall seasons.
It can also help to have a professional exterior treatment when large numbers repeatedly gather around your home. An exterior treatment should complement, not replace, physical exclusion.
When Should You Call Pest Control for Asian Lady Beetles?
Sometimes exclusion is enough on its own and sometimes you need the help of professional pest control to keep Asian lady beetles out of your house. Professional help may make sense when:
- Large swarms return every fall
- Beetles cover large areas of your home’s exterior
- Beetles repeatedly emerge indoors
- You cannot identify likely entry points
- Your home's height or construction makes exterior sealing difficult
- Beetles are emerging from wall voids, attics, or multiple rooms
One of All-American pest pros can help identify the likely entry points, exterior congregating points, exclusion needs, and appropriate treatment options. Seeing a beetle or two indoors doesn’t automatically mean you need professional treatment, but if you’re seeing these pests on a recurring basis, it may be time to give us a call.
Keep Asian Lady Beetles Outside This Fall
Asian lady beetles gather around Tennessee homes in fall because they are looking for protected overwintering shelter. The most important thing you can do to keep them out of your house this fall is to seal exterior entry points.
Additionally, an exterior pest control treatment can be helpful if you find yourself dealing with Asian lady beetles on a recurring basis. Get in touch with All-American Pest Control to request your free home evaluation. We’ll help you identify entry points and determine if a professional treatment is necessary. Contact us today.
Your Trusted Nashville, TN Pest Control Experts
Since 1961, All-American Pest Control has been your go-to team of trusted pest experts for homes, businesses, and home builders throughout Nashville and Middle Tennessee. Our expert team offers termite treatments, mosquito reduction, rodent removal, ant and spider control, and wasp nest removal—keeping your property protected year-round. As a local, family-owned company, we take pride in offering reliable, professional pest solutions with outstanding customer service.
We proudly serve: Lewisburg, Chapel Hill, Cornersville, Petersburg, Archer, Beasley, Belfast, Berlin, Caney Spring, Cochran, Delina, Farmington, Graball, Holts Corner, Lunns Store, Milltown, Mooresville, Rich Creek, Robertson Fork, Silver Creek, South Berlin, Verona, Yell, and the surrounding areas.
For trusted pest control in Nashville, TN, and these surrounding communities, contact All-American Pest Control today! Call (615) 824-8814 or Schedule a Free Consultation online.