How To Get Rid Of Ladybugs In Atlanta

Here at Smart Solutions wildlife removal and pest control we pride ourselves at helping people stay informed about what they can do to help with pests invading their homes and businesses. This article will help give you some tips on what you can do to keep out Asian Lady Beetles. They are often times confused with native ladybugs. There are some distinct differences between the way these insects look. As the temperatures drop, Asian Lady beetles will come in large numbers. Check out our page for more tips and tricks at www.smartsolutionspestcontrol.com/pest-control/. Now to get into some things you do on your own to help with these annoying bugs.

To keep ladybugs out of your house, here are some effective methods you can try:

1. Seal Entry Points

•Inspect windows, doors, and walls: Look for small cracks, gaps, or holes in window frames, door frames, and siding. Seal them with caulk, weather stripping or repair wood and siding.

•Screens: Repair or replace torn window screens, and install screens to vents if necessary.

•. Use door sweeps at the bottom of exterior doors to prevent ladybugs from squeezing in

2. Use Essential Oils

•Citronella, lemon, and clove. Mix a few drops with water in a spray bottle and mix with a drip or two of dish soap, and spray around doors, windows, and other potential entry points. Essential oils have a temporary effect and can smell the home up so be careful of the odors.

3. Turn Off Exterior Lights

Lights attract ladybugs so turn off porch lights in the evenings, as to not attract these insect pests to enter the home.

4. Maintain Outdoor Cleanliness

•Remove piles of leaves, firewood and brush: These things attract ladybugs. Clear these from around your home’s foundation and yard to reduce their distance to entry points.

6. Vacuum Often

•If they get inside: Use a vacuum to remove ladybugs without squashing them, as they release a funky odor when crushed.

7. Check for Gaps in Insulation and Roofing

•Insulation, eaves, and attic vents: Ladybugs will enter through gaps in poorly insulated areas or vents. Seal these areas with the proper material to reduce entry points.

Taking these steps should help keep ladybugs outside where they belong.

In North America, the Asian lady beetle (Harmonia axyridis) is considered to be invasive. Originally introduced in the U.S. as a form of pest control in the 20th century, Asian lady beetles helped to naturally control aphids and other crop-damaging insects. However, they have spread rapidly and have become a nuisance in homes and are out competing native ladybug species.

Here’s how invasive ladybugs like the Asian lady beetle differ from native species and how they are a problem:

•Competition with Native Ladybugs: Asian lady beetles are aggressive and outcompete native ladybugs for food and displace the native species causing an imbalance in the ecosystem.

•Home Invasion: They are notorious for entering homes in large numbers during fall to overwinter indoors, becoming a nuisance because they can stink and stain up the home and also carry undesirable germs.

•Potential Harm: While generally harmless to humans, they can bite and also release a strong, pungent-smelling fluid when threatened, and may cause allergic reactions in some people.

Native ladybug species, like the Convergent Lady Beetle (Hippodamia convergens), play an important role in ecosystems by keeping aphid populations in check without the invasive behaviors associated with the Asian lady beetle.

In summary, it’s a good measure to take care of these pests to help keep the balance in our ecosystem and protect your home.

How To Get Rid Of Ladybugs In Atlanta

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