Being bugged by lady bugs

Regular readers of this blog know how much I whine about bugs and other creatures. I really can’t tolerate anything but my fat cat in the house. My brother Mark tried to bring a pet ferret one Christmas. I’m afraid I wasn’t very hospitable that day, but that’s another story.

This week when I started seeing ladybugs on the wall I was more than mildly upset. I try not to kill innocent creatures and my fat cat (he knows he is) doesn’t pay any attention at all. So the first time I saw a few ladybugs, I just picked them up with a tissue and escorted them outside. So far so good for me.

But other people aren’t so lucky.

It's time for lady bugs to bug homeowners.

My husband told me he always had ladybugs at the house he lived in before we were married. I told him I really didn’t have a problem. Hmm. Do you think he brought them with him?
Just kidding.

Really.

According to the Penn State Cooperative Extension, we are actually seeing Multicolored Asian Lady Beetles. They were introduced to the state in 1978 and 1981 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as biological control agents, to supplement the good work done by the native lady beetles, both feast on aphids and scale insects.
 
They aren’t fond of cold weather (and who can blame them?) They were first found congregating on windows, doors, porches and decks, seeking shelter for the coming cold weather.  They have since become a homeowner nuisance wherein they occupy residences from September through April.
The best way to control an infestation is to prevent the beetles from entering your home. Seal cracks and cover openings such as chimneys and exhaust vents with smaller mesh screens.

We’re going to have more information coming from our Penn State Master gardeners next week.

In the meantime, don’t kill them. They stink when you kill them.

Instead try vacuuming them. While you’re at it, try sucking some of that dust out of your corners.

You don’t have dust? It’s only me? Oh well, I’ll try to do better next week.