Ladybugs are not known to damage homes and gardens, but these insects can be highly annoying when they swarm your home. Thankfully, there are simple things you can do to get rid of it. Read on to learn more.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Physical Removal
Step 1. Trap the ladybugs in the vacuum cleaner
The best way to get rid of them is to physically remove them with a vacuum cleaner. If you put a piece of nylon stocking in the tube, you can create a trap. Catch the ladybugs and then free them away from home.
- Use a vacuum cleaner accessory rather than the blow function.
- Put the final tip of the nylon stocking at the end of the vacuum cleaner tube, with the leg part inside the tube. Secure the sock to the tube with a rubber band.
- When you vacuum the ladybugs, they get trapped in the sock. Carefully pull the sock out of the tube and release the ladybugs on the outside.
- Make sure the sock is not sucked into the vacuum cleaner.
- If you can't block the vacuum bin with nylon, make sure it's empty before vacuuming the bugs. This way you can free the ladybugs without spreading a lot of dust.
Step 2. Avoid taking them one at a time with your hands
If you do, the ladybugs will likely release a yellow substance that will stain your skin, clothing, and other surfaces in your home.
Contrary to popular belief, the yellow secretion is blood and not excrement. When ladybugs feel in danger they release a small amount of blood as a warning and defense tactic
Step 3. Sweep the ladybugs out the door
Use a broom to sweep them out and close the door.
With this method, you run the risk of frightening the ladybugs by having them secrete the yellow liquid. So only use the broom if the bugs are near the door or window
Step 4. Catch the ladybugs with a light trap
Although light traps offer limited help, setting up one or two in a dark attic or basement can attract the few ladybugs that lurk in these places.
- Note that these traps only solve a small part of the problem because they are only effective on those ladybugs that live in dark and hidden places.
- Light traps are not effective when used in the fall and spring in normally inhabited spaces of the home.
Part 2 of 4: Natural insecticides
Step 1. Sprinkle some edible diatomaceous earth (diatomaceous earth)
Place it where you suspect ladybugs live. You can put it both indoors and outdoors.
- Diatomaceous earth is recommended as it is safe for both children and pets. That said, you should still avoid children and pets coming into contact with them.
- Diatomaceous earth contains dried seaweed splinters. These injure the ladybugs' exoskeleton when insects pass through, causing them to die from dehydration.
Step 2. Spray camphor and menthol around the infested areas
Mix them with water in a spray bottle and spray the areas where you think ladybugs are hiding. This mix is supposed to chase away ladybugs without killing them.
Ladybugs are sensitive to the strong smell of camphor and menthol. While these smells don't kill them, they make the environment so inhospitable that they go away
Step 3. Make a trap with soapy water
A simple tactic against ladybugs is to fill a fish bowl with soapy water. The light reflecting off the bowl attracts ladybugs as they fall and choke in the soap.
- Ladybugs are attracted to light. A clear glass bowl filled with soapy water near a window seems irresistible to them. When they get too close to take a look, they fall into the soap.
- A couple of drops of liquid dish soap is all you need. They eliminate the surface tension of the water and prevent ladybugs from escaping.
Step 4. Sprinkle boric acid into infested areas
Boric acid, also known as borax, should be used if you suspect ladybugs may be swarming around the house.
- Ladybugs must come into direct contact with borax to be affected.
- When they come into contact with the substance they die from dehydration.
Part 3 of 4: Chemical Insecticides
Step 1. Use pyrethrin or long-lasting pyrethroids as a barrier
The only chemical action recommended against ladybugs is the use of pesticides as a barrier. These chemicals should be sprayed around the entrances and pathways used by ladybugs. When a ladybug "crosses" the chemical barrier, it comes into contact with pesticides and dies.
- Follow the instructions on the package to mix and apply the pesticide correctly. Never use a pesticide for external use at home and vice versa.
- Usually these chemicals are sprayed on surfaces and adhere to them thanks to a supporting substrate. The result is a poison that remains on surfaces waiting for the ladybugs to land on them.
Step 2. Avoid using “sprayed insecticides”
“These broad spectrum products kill all insects in the vicinity and have worse side effects than the invasion of ladybugs.
- Most indoor spray insecticides are ineffective when it comes to ladybugs.
- In addition, this type of insecticide can leave stains and residues on walls, kitchen and other surfaces. These stains are difficult to remove.
Step 3. Call a licensed exterminator for professional help
If all else fails, an exterminator can be the solution to your ladybug problem. Make sure the operator has dealt with ladybugs in the past.
- A professional can evaluate the problem carefully and choose the best approach. It can use a more powerful fast-acting insecticide than those normally available on the market.
- The chemicals that a professional usually has available are: lambda-cyhalothrin, deltamethrin, bifentrin and cyfluthrin.
Part 4 of 4: Preventive Measures
Step 1. Close any holes in windows and doors
Repair the mosquito nets and add more if you need them or if they have holes in them.
If they are badly damaged, it will be easier to replace them than to repair them
Step 2. Apply a draft excluder
One of the simplest ways to seal the bottom of doors is the draft excluder.
Plus you'll save some money on your bills as the heat won't come out of the house and you'll have less need to turn up the heat
Step 3. Temporarily block the vents
When the weather gets a little colder, ladybugs seek warmer shelter, so close the roof vents to prevent them from passing.
Step 4. Seal openings in fittings, pipes, jambs and window frames
Any gaps that may allow ladybugs to enter the house must be closed.
- Use a silicone or latex sealant and quality silicone for best results.
- Make sure you close all cracks in doors, windows, fittings, pipes, fireplaces and wood paneling.
- Silicone is usually good for sealing windows and doors, while mortar is more suitable for holes in exterior walls. You need the concrete for the very large holes.
- These interventions will save you on your heating bill.
Step 5. As a last resort, consider painting the exterior of the house
Although there is little scientific evidence for this, it appears that light and contrasting colors are more attractive to ladybugs. In theory, coloring the exteriors with dark colors should reduce the visits of ladybugs.
This is a matter of debate, so don't invest too much energy, money and time in this solution, unless you already have plans to change the color of your home for other reasons
Step 6. Enjoy a ladybird free home
Warnings
- Insecticides are not usually recommended for ladybug problems. Chemicals can kill ladybugs in wall cavities. Carcasses can attract other insects such as cockroaches and other predators which cause more problems than ladybugs.
- Ladybug houses that you can buy at garden stores don't offer much help getting rid of these insects. They may occasionally attract ladybugs that are in your yard, but if you have an infestation, the number of ladybugs the house attracts will be far fewer than you have in your home.
- Before buying chemical insecticides, make sure they are legal in your country. Some chemicals are prohibited.
