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You see them every fall. They show up on your exterior walls, in the corners of your bedroom ceiling, and on your living room curtains. You probably assume they’re ladybugs, but chances are they’re actually Asian ady beetles. While ladybugs are native to Middle Tennessee, lady beetles are an invasive species. How can you tell them apart and how can you make sure that lady beetles don’t infest your house this fall? All-American Pest Control has the answers you’re looking for.
What Are Asian Lady Beetles?
Asian lady beetles look very similar to native ladybugs. They are reddish-orange with black spots and dome-shaped bodies.
Asian lady beetles were introduced to the United States to help control agricultural pests, and they do a great job completing this important task. However, over time, they’ve become more plentiful than necessary and have become a nuisance. Unlike native ladybugs, lady beetles invade homes in large numbers each fall.
How to Tell Asian Lady Beetles Apart From Native Ladybugs
Although they look very similar, there are several ways to tell Asian lady beetles apart from native ladybugs.
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Asian lady beetles have a distinct "M" or "W" shaped marking behind their heads.
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Native ladybugs do not have an “M” or “W” shaped marking.
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Asian lady beetles’ coloring ranges from pale orange to deep red and they have varying spot patterns.
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Native ladybugs are typically bright red and they have symmetrical spot patterns.
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Asian lady beetles are larger and invade homes in large groups.
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Native ladybugs are smaller and rarely invade homes in large groups
Why Lady Beetles Invade Tennessee Homes in Fall
Lady beetles are migratory pests. This is not in the sense that they move far, like from one country to another, but that they move from one location to another in the spring and fall. In the warm months, Asian lady beetles live outdoors. When the temperature starts to drop in the fall, it’s a signal to them that they need to migrate to someplace warmer.
They often return to the same overwintering sites year after year. They’ll gather in large groups on warm, south-facing exterior walls. They’ll then find small cracks or gaps that allow them to get inside. Once indoors, they’ll be seen for several days or weeks before making their way into wall voids or attic spaces, where they’ll spend the winter.
Where Lady Beetles Hide Inside Your Home
Lady beetles look for a warm place that provides secluded protection so they can spend the winter in peace and safety. They often end up in attics and wall voids, but may also overwinter in crawl spaces or basements. In the time between when they get into your house and when they find a place to hide, you may see them clustered around windows or on warm interior walls.
Why You See Lady Beetles on Warm Fall Days
Once they move into your house, it doesn’t take lady beetles too long to head to their overwintering spots. However, on warm late fall days and even warm winter days, you might see Asian lady beetles out and about in your house. This is because temperature spikes can confuse these dormant pests, causing them to emerge far too early from their winter rest.
They’ll get up and move around, looking for a way to get back outside. However, when the temperature becomes more seasonably cool, they’ll head back to their overwintering site. If you do see large numbers of lady beetles in your home, even if just for a few days, it is a sign that you have a significant infestation.
Problems Lady Beetles Cause in Homes
Since they tend to hide out when they’re in your house, is it a big deal to have an Asian lady beetle infestation? It can be.
First of all, they release a foul-smelling yellow fluid when disturbed or crushed. Not only does it smell bad, but this fluid can stain walls, curtains, and furniture. If you have a large infestation, you could end up with extreme staining.
Asian lady beetles can also bite if handled. Although these bites aren’t known to cause any serious harm, they’re still unpleasant to experience.
How Lady Beetles Enter Your Home
Once large groups of lady beetles gather on your exterior walls, it’s only a matter of time before they find their way inside. They often enter homes through:
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Small cracks around windows, doors, and siding
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Gaps around utility lines, vents, and exhaust fans
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Wall voids to spread throughout your home
Preventing Lady Beetle Invasions Before They Start
If you’d prefer not to deal with these pests, there are several things you can do to prevent them.
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Seal cracks and gaps on your home's exterior before fall arrives
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Repair gaps around doors and windows
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Install tight-fitting screens on vents and windows
Removing Lady Beetles Already Inside Your Home
If you’re finding Asian lady beetles in your house, there are a few things you can do to remove the ones you see. Be aware that getting rid of the ones in view does not eliminate the infestation.
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Vacuum beetles carefully without crushing them to avoid odors
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Dispose of vacuumed beetles in sealed bags outside your home
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Avoid using indoor products that kill beetles;, these can create stains and can be dangerous
When to Call a Professional for Lady Beetle Control
How do you know when it’s time to call the professionals about the lady beetles you’re seeing in or around your house?
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If you see hundreds of beetles clustering on walls or windows, they’re going to end up inside. Give All-American Pest Control a call before they can move indoors.
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When your own DIY methods fail to stop beetles from entering your home, don’t give up; get All-American involved with our family-friendly pest control.
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Before fall infestations grow out of control, let All-American provide the preventative services you need to stop an infestation.
Contact All-American Pest Control for Asian Lady Beetle Control
To stop a lady beetle invasion before it takes over your home, get in touch with All-American Pest Control today. The best thing about our lady beetle control is that it not only will stop an infestation of lady beetles, but it will also keep stink bugs, boxelder bugs, and over 47 other common pests out of your house this fall and throughout the year. Request our Perimeter Plus service for full-service pest protection.
Reliable Pest Control in Nashville, TN & Nearby Neighborhoods
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: Cane Ridge Farms, Crieve Hall, Forest Hills, Green Hills, Hillwood, Lenox Village, Old Natchez, Sylvan Park, West Meade, White Bridge, Antioch, Donelson, Donelson Hills, Hermitage, Inglewood, Lockeland Springs, Maplecrest, Maplewood Heights, Nashboro Village, Neely's Bend, Priest Lake Park, Stewarts Ferry, and the entire Davidson County and Greater Nashville 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.