Ladybugs (Was RE: Protecting roses)

[Guest guest]

-

> Well,

> Joyce, maybe you can help me~ We had 10's of 1000's of lady bugs in

our

> house every spring~ i've already seen 3 in my herb garden this week~

How

> do you get them out of the house. There are so many I have to vacuum

them

> up ~

> Thanks

> Sindy

 

Hi Sindy,

 

Joyce is right - ladybugs should try to be saved if possible. They are

very beneficial insects, but not when they are swarming your living room

 

Below are some ladybug Q & A's that might help

 

Good luck!

 

*Smile*

Chris (list mom)

 

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http://www.ladybuglady.com/LadybugsFAQ.htm

Q. It is almost spring, why are ladybugs coming back into my house?

A. They have probably been hibernating under the sliding of the house or

apartment and the warmer temperatures have caused them to emerge- it's

just that they are going in the wrong direction. You would think that

they would be trying to get out of the house, but they are coming in. It

happens. This happens because of the variation in temperatures from the

interior of the home verses the outside temperatures. The ladybugs are

merely confused.

 

Q. Why do ladybugs come into my house in the winter time?

A. Ladybugs are attracted to the light colored houses. Especially, homes

that have a clear southwestern sun exposure. Older homes tend to

experience more problem with aggregations due to lack of adequate

insulation. The ladybugs come in through small cracks around windows,

door ways and under clap boards. They want to hibernate in a warm,

comfortable spot over the cold months of winter. Ladybugs gather in

groups when they hibernate, so if you see one, you can be sure more will

follow. The best way to keep them out is to repair damaged clap boards,

window and door trim and to caulk small cracks.

 

 

Q. Once the ladybugs are in my house, will they eat anything?

A. No. Ladybugs don't eat fabric, plants, paper or any other household

items. They like to eat APHIDS. Aphids are very small, but very

destructive pest that feed on plants. (If you have rose bushes, you have

probably seen aphids.) Ladybugs, while trying to hibernate in your

house, live off of their own body fats. They, also, prefer a little

humidity. But our homes are usually not very humid during the winter. In

fact, they are rather dry causing most of your ladybug guests to die

from dehydration. Occasionally, you might witness a ladybug in your

bathroom getting a drink of water. Now, that's a smart lady!

 

 

Q. How can I get them out of my house?

A. If you don't have a lot, just leave them. They will leave when spring

arrives. Disturbing them will only cause them to stress out leaving

yellow markings on your walls. The yellow stuff, you see, is not waste

matter, but rather, their blood. Ladybugs release a small amount of

their blood which is yellow and smells, when they sense danger. Some

people have said that it does stain on light colored surfaces.

 

 

Q. But, I really want the ladybugs out of my house!

A. Use a " shop vacuum " . This type of vacuum is easy to use for collect

ladybugs. When using this to vacuum up ladybugs, use a clean bag or pad

the bottom with a cloth. After all is clean, release the unwelcome

guests outside.

 

 

Q. Is there anything else I can use to get the ladybugs out of my house?

 

A. Yes. There is a product called a Ladybug Black Light Trap. It uses

radiating black light to attract and contain the ladybugs. See more

information on the Infestation Page of the web site.

 

Q. Why are ladybugs considered a " beneficial " insect?

A. Ladybugs feed on aphids and other soft bodied insects that feed on

plants. The ladybug feeds on these pests as the adult ladybug and as the

larva. One ladybug can eat as many as 50 aphids a day. Now, that's a

hungry lady!

 

 

http://www.ladybuglady.com/Infestation.htm

 

'Tis the season! Ladybugs are looking for a place to hibernate. They are

attracted to light colored homes, usually older homes and they are

attracted to heat that the homes reflect. Once ladybugs have penetrated

the home though, they are hard to get rid of.

Ladybugs release pheromones, it is sort of like " perfume " to attract

other ladybugs. They use pheromones as a means of communication during

mating and hibernation. It helps ladybugs find each other and it lets

future generations know of a good place to " camp out " for the winter.

The pheromones don't go away easily. The chemical " scent " can remain

year after year, and not only on the outside of a structure, but also

within the walls, where ladybugs tend to hide before emerging into your

home. So, scrubbing pheromones off a house is a BIG task, if not

impossible.

The yellow stuff you might see from time to time is their blood. It,

too, contains pheromones and it stains. You can see the yellow blood

when you hold a ladybug and it gets scared. This is called reflex

bleeding. Releasing some of its blood is one way the ladybug can protect

itself. The blood smells bad and signals to a predator that this ladybug

is not a good lunch choice.

 

To prevent ladybugs from getting in, make sure all cracks around

windows, doors, clap boards, pipes, ect. are sealed up. Some

extermination companies offer this service, sometimes called inclusion.

This, too, is no small project, and may cost a small fortune, but it's

worth it. Especially if you don't like ladybugs joining you for dinner.

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

thanks Christine. This is wonderful reading.

 

Joyce Siegert

Ladybug's Creations

http://www.ladybugscreations.com

check us out for Shea, Illipe & Foaming Bath Butter

 

-

" Christine Ziegler " <chrisziggy

 

>

> Hi Sindy,

>

> Joyce is right - ladybugs should try to be saved if possible. They are

> very beneficial insects, but not when they are swarming your living room

>

>

> Below are some ladybug Q & A's that might help