Asian Lady Beetles
Brought here from Asia about 10 years ago, the Asian Lady Beetles
closely resemble the lady bugs that we are used to seeing. They were brought here to help control aphids and I guess they
decided to stay here in the Land of the Free. When they make contact with your skin, they do not spread disease and
they do not bite, they just give a little irritating pinch to your skin.
During the summer the Asian lady beetles usually does
not pose a problem (maybe the aphids think they are a problem). When winter arrive, they like to get out of the cold by moving
into your home and taking up semi-permanent residence. To get rid of them, you can vacuum them up by turning off the lights
in the room and then turning one of them back on. When they gather around the light, you can use your vacuum to
suck them up.
When you get an Asian lady beetle on you, do not smash
it because they give off a bad odor and they are filled with a fluid that can cause stains. Instead, you can go outside and brush it off.
