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Ladybugs, Asian Lady Beetles
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Lady Bug Elimination |
Ladybug information |
Ladybug Pictures |
The best way to treat for ladybugs is to use the same methods and
products used to control boxelder bugs.
Tempo WP is an odorless product which is labeled for use indoors (if the need ever arose) and also on most
shrubs and plants around your home. If you only have the beginnings of a ladybug/
lady beetle infestation, you can get by with treating the interior and exterior of your
home with Demon WP
or Cyper WP.
These products will do
a good job, but Cyper
WP and Demon WP
are not labeled for
spraying the wide range of shrubs and ornamentals, as is Tempo WP.
When treating, walk around the outside of your home twice: once to spray cracks, crevices,
entry points and the second time to fan-spray any surface where they might crawl or come
into contact with your product. Any shrubs, small trees or bushes should also be
treated as well as the ground around them and any mulched areas in your landscaping.
Although Tempo WP is safe to use indoors for
almost any type of pest (when directions are followed), you should not have to in the case
of ladybug
infestations. Your vacuum will be your best tool indoors.
In severe cases, Delta Dust or
Drione Dust should be applied to indoor
cracks, crevices, wall voids, hiding places and entry points. Dusts should
be applied with a Crusader Duster.
I prefer Delta Dust
(because it is
the
world's only water-proof dust) but either Delta Dust
or Drione Dust will
be
a good job, if dusting is necessary.
To help prevent infestations of ladybugs, treat the exterior of your home
with Tempo WP in the Summer, Fall
and Spring. Each application will most
likely last between 4 and 12 weeks but for best results, try to time your
spray treatment with the normal time of year (in your area) when ladybugs
usually appear. One or two weeks before activity begins or at first sign of
ladybugs (or their larvae) is best.
The "multicolored Asian lady beetle" or Asian Ladybug (Harmonia axyridis), has become common in many areas of the eastern United States. This beetle is a beneficial inhabitant of the landscape but can also be a serious household pest in those areas where it has become well established and abundant.
The Asian ladybug is approximately 1/3 inch in length and semi-spherical or dome-shaped. Their colorations can vary from yellowish-orange to red; deep orange is the most common color. There are 19 black spots on the back that vary in darkness among individual beetles and the spots may be faint or missing on some beetles. There is a black "W" shaped mark on the thorax of this ladybug.
Asian ladybugs, like boxelder bugs, pine seed bugs and elm leaf beetles, are accidental invaders; that is, "outdoor" insects that create a nuisance by wandering indoors during a limited portion of their life cycle. Accidental invaders do not feed or reproduce indoors. They cannot attack the house structure, furniture, or fabric. They cannot sting or carry diseases. Ladybugs do not feed on people, although they will occasionally pinch exposed skin. Ladybug may leave a slimy smear and they have a distinct odor when crushed.