Ladybug Treatment
How Do I Identify A Ladybug Infestation?
Appearance - Ladybugs are normally no larger then a millimeter in size. The body of a ladybug is normally red with black dots but can sometimes be a darker orange or even light yellow at times. Another characteristic to help identify if it is a ladybug is the shape of an "M" behind their head.
Behavior - Ladybugs will be most active during the warmer months and will be see flying around. Ladybugs will tend to seek shelter in colder months within your windows and other places where they can still benefit from the suns heat. Ladybugs are mostly beneficial insects that eat aphids, mealybugs and other insects.
While ladybugs are beneficial in the garden, they are not welcome when they decide to share your home, especially when it is a large number.
This is why calling us for ladybug control would be the next step. We will be able to provide ladybug extermination to the areas of your house where the ladybug infestation is located, and then effectively eliminate the problem.
Why Could I Have Ladybugs?
Ladybugs become a problem in particular when they move inside our homes in search of warmth and protection over winter. Common reasons they get inside the home is due to cracks in caulk or seals around windows and doors. Attics, overhang vents, and roofs can also allow access for the ladybug if there are any damaged areas or cracks. A ladybug exterminator can determine where your ladybugs are coming from and where they are nesting. We can perform effective ladybug control and keep the ladybug infestation from taking over your property and home.
Why Should I Treat My Ladybug Infestation Immediately?
While ladybugs pose no risk to humans, any more then the occasional one wandering into your home is unwanted. Especially when they become an infestation and begin swarming in the warmer weather.
Sealing up cracks in your home are first steps you can take to discourage further ladybug problems. Calling our professional ladybug extermination team can ensure that successful ladybug control takes place and that your home and property are ladybug free.
How to Get Rid of Ladybugs
Proper ladybugs are cute insects. They are often found in yards preying on pests like aphids. However, there are a couple of problems with ladybugs. The first is that ladybugs look extremely similar to Asian beetles. These "bad" ladybugs do not have any of the beneficial aspects that real ladybugs bring to the table. Asian beetles bite and release a bad odor when crushed.
You know you are dealing with Asian beetles, not real ladybugs because they will have an "M" marking right where the head meets the wings. Ladybugs do not have this marking. Ladybugs are also smaller and do not have the orangish coloring of Asian beetles.
Once you have identified an actual ladybug infestation, you need to take steps to get rid of the pest. Read on to find out how.
How Do I Spot a Ladybug Problem?
Real ladybugs are not a problem in the garden. In fact, they are beneficial insects. They prey on other garden pests. However, you don't want a lot of ladybugs in your home. Signs that ladybugs have invaded are listed below.
- Allergic reactions.
Ladybugs can cause an allergic reaction in some people. If you or someone in your home is experiencing red eyes, coughing, hives, itchy skin, or breathing difficulties, it may be a sign of a ladybug allergy.
Obviously, other pests can cause allergic reactions. But, if you notice large swarms of ladybugs in your home and also are experiencing an allergic reaction, the two may be related.
- Swarms of ladybugs.
Ladybugs are known to swarm. Sometimes there can be swarms of 15,000 ladybugs or more. That is way too many ladybugs to have in your home. Ladybugs typically swarm inside a home as the weather gets colder. They are looking for a warm place to over-winter.
Look out for ladybug swarms near the ceiling, in cracks and crevices, behind your walls, and in doorjambs or windowpanes.
- Yellow secretion on carpets and drapes.
When ladybugs bleed they also release a yellow-colored secretion. This secretion will stain. Large numbers of ladybugs are more likely to get crushed and leave the secretion behind. If you notice a yellow stain on your carpets or drapes, you may have a ladybug problem.
How Do I Get Rid of Ladybugs?
Ladybugs may not be a dangerous pest. In fact, they do have some benefits. But you really don't want ladybugs in your home. The following tips can help you get rid of those annoying ladybugs.
- Vacuum them up.
While vacuuming does not remove the entire colony, it can help you control your ladybug problem. If you are worried about large numbers of ladybugs in your home, a vacuum can help you remove them. - Dish soap and water.
A spray made of dish soap and water will kill ladybugs on contact. Then all you have to do is remove the ladybug bodies. This is also a stop-gap solution to the problem. - Use natural repellents.
Natural repellents like lavender oil, citronella, mums, and bay leaves may help keep ladybugs from entering your home in the first place. These options will do nothing for a current infestation. - Contact professional exterminators.
For the most permanent ladybug removal, you need to hire a professional pest removal company. At GoLocal Pest Control, we can connect you with the best ladybug removal experts in your area. Contact us today to learn more.
How to Prevent Ladybugs
Unlike many pests, ladybugs are not inherently a problem. Actually, real ladybugs (not the invasive Asian beetle, which looks like a ladybug) can bring a lot of benefits. They eat aphids and other insects, which make them good to have around the garden. However, sometimes ladybugs swarm either in a yard or a home. That is when they cross the line into becoming pests.
Prevention is the best way to stave off a potential ladybug infestation. In this article, we will tell you the best ways to prevent ladybugs.
Why Do I Have Ladybugs?
Understanding why ladybugs swarm on a property is important. They are likely to swarm in the spring or fall. Ladybugs release a pheromone that attracts other ladybugs. When they have found a good place to live, they release that pheromone. You can end up with a lot of ladybugs on your property in very short order.
The most common time for a ladybug infestation in the home is the winter. Ladybugs may be attracted to your home because of
- Lights.
- Heat.
- The pheromones of other ladybugs.
In the winter, ladybugs prefer to nest in tree trunks or under large rocks. But because of the attractants listed above, they may enter our homes instead of finding a nice tree to live in. Ladybugs are extremely hard to remove once they have made their way into your house. So, you must prevent their entrance before the infestation starts.
How Do I Prevent Ladybugs?
So, what can you do to prevent ladybugs from getting into your home? The following tips will help keep your home ladybug-free this winter.
- Seal all cracks around your windows and doors.
Ladybugs are very small insects. They can easily enter your home through tiny cracks around window and door frames. Seal up any other cracks on the outside of your home. That will ensure no ladybugs can find their way in. - Put a screen over your roof vents.
Roof vents are a common entry point for ladybugs. Unfortunately, many homeowners do not think to cover these vents. If you put a finely meshed screen over the vents, ladybugs are much less likely to be able to get in your home. - Use an insecticide.
Some homeowners prefer to use an insecticide to prevent ladybugs. Be careful with this option if you have pets or small children. Some insecticides are toxic. If you do choose to use an insecticide, make sure you apply it around the entire exterior of your home. - Replace torn screens.
Ripped or damaged screens provide ladybugs with another good way of getting into our homes. Keep your screen in good repair, and you won't have ladybug problems. - Call a good ladybug removal company.
Some exterminators can help you prevent ladybugs. At GoLocal Pest Control, we can help you find the best ladybug control companies in your area. You don't have to worry about sifting through all the results to find a company that specializes in ladybug removal. We do the hard part for you. Contact us today.
What Do Ladybugs Look Like?
Ladybugs are an interesting pest. They are really only pests in large numbers. In small numbers, ladybugs are beneficial to your yard and garden. They eat many detrimental garden pests. In fact, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, and Tennessee have chosen the ladybug as the official state insect or bug. You just don't want many ladybugs in your house. That can get to be a major problem.
You may not think that there are many types of ladybugs, but you would be wrong. There are actually a lot of ladybug species. And, then there is the Asian ladybeetle. The Asian lady beetle is a pest you definitely do not want in your home. Therefore knowing what ladybugs look like is an important part of their control.
How Many Species of Ladybug Are There?
When you see a ladybug, you may not realize that there are many different types of ladybug species. In fact, there are over 6,000 species of ladybug found worldwide. Of these, only approximately 150 live in the United States. This number does not include the Asian ladybeetle, which are true beetles and distinct from the ladybug.
Almost all true ladybug species are predators. Most experts agree that about 90% of ladybugs eat other animals. Some ladybugs, like the Mexican bean beetle, can be destructive to plants. But many of these species are not found in the United States.
The most common ladybugs species in the U.S. include the nine-spotted ladybug, seven-spotted ladybug, three-banded ladybug, and convergent ladybug. The seven-spotted ladybug (or lady beetle) is quite common in the United States. That is ironic because this ladybug species originally came from Europe. It has been responsible for decimating the native ladybug populations. The most commonly found ladybug throughout the U.S. is the convergent ladybug.
What Do Ladybugs Look Like?
Most ladybugs have a distinctive appearance. When you hear the name ladybug, you likely picture a red and black beetle with black spots on its wings. That is the most common appearance of ladybugs. They are also mostly round and small beetles.
Not all ladybug species have distinctive spots, however. Some are all black. Some have bands instead of spots.
The convergent ladybug, the most common ladybug in the United States, does have the expected ladybug coloring. It ranges from 0.3-inch to 0.23-inch long. They are typically bright red or orange with black heads, antennae, and legs. There are typically twelve black spots on the convergent ladybug. What distinguishes the convergent ladybug from other ladybug species are the white lines that appear behind the head.
Ladybugs are not a dangerous pest. But, their swarms can be annoying, especially if they occur in your home. The best way to deal with a ladybug problem is to contact your local exterminator. At GoLocal Pest Control, we can help you find the top companies in your location. Visit our website today to learn more about how we work. When you are ready, just enter your zip code. It is pest control so easy; you'll never want to use another service.
How to Find an Exterminator to Help with Ladybugs
Ladybugs are an interesting pest. They eat aphids and other insects, and so in some circumstances are not really a pest at all. However, you don't want ladybugs to enter your home. They can destroy house plants, and they tend to invade in large numbers. And you especially do not want an Asian lady beetle infestation.
One or two ladybugs may not be a huge cause for concern. But if there is a lot in your home, you should call in the professionals. A good exterminator to help with ladybugs can be hard to find. That is why we've written this article. By the end, you will have all the information you need to find an exterminator for your ladybug problem.
What Should I Look for in a Ladybug Exterminator?
When looking for a ladybug exterminator, you need to focus on a few things. The first of these is the exterminator's expertise. If they have never treated ladybugs before, you will be out of luck. Ladybugs are rarer a pest than others like cockroaches and rodents. So, make sure to ask any potential exterminator if they have ever treated a ladybug problem before.
Other questions to ask potential exterminators include the following.
- What treatment do you use for ladybugs?
- Do I need to exterminate the ladybugs in my home?
- How long before the ladybug treatment takes effect?
- Is there a danger of the ladybug's problem returning?
What Should I Expect from Ladybug Exterminators?
Now that you know what to ask a potential ladybug exterminator, it's time to discuss what to expect from ladybug treatment. Most often the procedure will look something like this.
Inspection: The technician will inspect your home before they recommend any treatment. Often the initial inspection and estimate are free. The inspection will determine what species of ladybug is invading, how bad the infestation is, and how the ladybugs got in.
- Estimate:
After their inspection, the technician will give you an estimate. This write-up will tell you what the expected treatment is, how long it will take, and how much it will cost. You have to accept the estimate before treatment can begin. - Treatment:
Most often ladybugs are treated with insecticides. These will kill the ladybugs, so the technician may also bring a high-powered vacuum to remove the dead bugs. - Follow-up:
Some exterminators will provide a follow-up appointment to make sure the ladybug problem has not returned.
How Do I Find an Exterminator to Help with Ladybugs?
Local exterminators will provide the best help with ladybugs. They know the species of ladybug most common to your area and how to treat them. They will also be more likely to provide individualized service. Large, national companies tend to provide cookie-cutter treatment plans without taking you and your home into consideration.
To find the top local exterminators near you, you need GoLocal Pest Control. Our results are all pre-screened, qualified, and quality. Contact us today to learn more.