Usually they are more annoying than threatening. But Asian lady beetles can stain surfaces and aggravate allergies if there are large numbers of them in a home.
The most remarkable thing about Asian lady beetles is how much they look like ladybugs. For the most part, they’re not a problem. They eat aphids and other plant pests, and in that way, are actually sometimes even helpful. The trouble for homeowners tends to come in the fall when they need a place to stay for the winter.
As temperatures cool, Asian lady beetles gather on buildings and start to look for protected places to spend the winter. They can enter around windows, doors, siding, soffits, vents, utility openings, and other small gaps. Once they find a way in, they mostly hang out in quiet and undisturbed places like wall voids and attics. They can stay in these places, inactive, for months on end.
Warm indoor temperatures or sunny winter days can wake them up. That is when homeowners may suddenly find beetles crawling across windows, ceilings, or walls. They are not reproducing throughout the house or eating the structure, but dozens or hundreds of insects emerging indoors can still be a royal pain.
Asian lady beetles can also release a yellowish defensive fluid when disturbed or crushed. It smells bad and can stain some surfaces. Individual beetles may occasionally pinch or “bite” exposed skin as well, though this is not a medically significant event. In some situations, large indoor populations can cause allergy issues for those especially sensitive.
Prevention focuses on keeping them out before overwintering begins. Check window and door seals, screens, siding gaps, soffits, vents, and utility penetrations. Seal appropriate cracks while preserving necessary ventilation. If beetles are already indoors, crushing large numbers against walls or fabrics can create more staining and odor than simply removing them carefully.
If Asian lady beetles are gathering around or entering your Central New Jersey home, Mosquito Squad of Central New Jersey can help with pest control around the property. Call (732) 313-3932 or request a free quote online.
