Yes. Asian lady beetles can spend the entire winter sheltered inside wall voids, attics, and other protected spaces.
They look like ladybugs, but they’re not, and are a little more annoying than that. Like stink bugs and boxelder bugs, these are the kinds of insects that overwinter in homes when the weather gets cold. Once they get inside, they tend to stay there for the whole winter, so it’s far easier to discourage them from entering than it is to get them out.
When temperatures decline outside, beetles gather on the sun-warmed walls of homes, often those facing south or west. While there, they look for small openings that let them enter into protected spaces like wall voids and attics. By the time they get inside structures, they often become largely inactive and you can go weeks without seeing one.
Having said that, it’s very common for either an unseasonably warm day in mid-winter or indoor heating to suddenly bring these bugs out of dormancy. This can cause them to show up on windows or in living spaces like it’s a brand-new infestation. But in reality, they’ve probably been inside all winter and out of sight. This can repeat throughout the winter when the weather warms.
The best thing to do is work to prevent their entry. You can do this by checking window and door frames, siding, soffits, vents, rooflines, and utility penetrations. Caulk any gaps you find and replace screens and vents if you find any that are damaged, but be sure that air can flow through properly after you do this.
If Asian lady beetles are becoming a problem around your Chicago property, Mosquito Squad of Chicago can help with pest control around the property. Call (630) 556-8315 or request a free quote online.
