Lady Bugs

You don’t have to be a pest expert to know a thing or two about ladybugs. They are easily one of the most commonly reported pest sightings in the area. Despite this, people are still learning exciting and interesting things about the pest daily. These beautifully colored pests are also commonly referred to as ladybirds, lady cows, but their scientific name is the Coccinelidae, meaning the family of a small beetle.

Part of the classification derives from the Latin word coccineus and the other part originates from the Greek term kokkos. Kokkos, which means seed, berry, or convex shape. Whereas, coccineus means scarlet. There is no denying all this information is interesting. However, there is nothing at all interesting about a ladybug infestation. As innocuous as it might seem, a major ladybug infestation is the last thing you’ll want to deal with.

Proper Identification

Before you begin with any type of ladybug treatment plan, it will be imperative to make certain you are, in fact, dealing with ladybugs. If you are dealing with some other insect, you might end up taking the wrong pest management approach. You might end up being disappointed and broke when your efforts don’t work. Here are some common traits and characteristics you’ll want to look for.

A fully grown ladybug has an oval, convex shape, measuring about ¼-inch long. They range in color from pale yellow to red to orangish/red.

These pests have six legs with wings and antennae

While these bug’s body shapes are generally the same, you’ll find that varying species can range in size and color. Most of these bugs found in the United States will be present with black markings and red or orange underlying colors.

It is the color pattern of the scheme that will be the pest’s most identifying characteristic. This will be the quality that helps you identify the bugs above all else

While the Asian lady beetle and the lady appear the same, it will be the Lady Beetle that has an M- or W-shaped marking on its head. They are also more commonly colored yellow and orange. Ladybugs are more commonly red.

Ladybug Inspection

Just because you know what ladybugs look like, doesn’t necessarily mean you know where to look for them. Locating the bugs can be one of the more difficult tasks. This is especially true during the winter because the ladybug is considered overwintering pests. This virtually means when the weather gets cooler out, these bugs cluster together on the exterior walls of the home and other nearby buildings. It won’t be long, and the bugs will work their way into the property via cracks and crevices in the foundation or vent openings. This is all done to find a place to remain warm.

You can use this to your advantage as you can search the perimeter of your building to find possible entry points. Eliminate these entry points and you have already done everything needed to keep the bugs out of the property. Inside the home, you’ll want to check behind appliances and in secluded areas of the home like the garage, storage areas, laundry rooms, ad under plumbing.

Keep in mind, ladybugs cluster together around heat sources. This is where you’ll find them during the winter, and as the spring arrives, they will come out of hibernation. What’s interesting is the bugs will be looking for a way back out of the home. They don’t want to be in the home.

The only reason they are likely still there is that they are turned around or lost. Either way, ladybugs are not something you want to deal with due to their ability to secrete a foul-smelling odor and stain delicate materials.

Let us handle the problem for you. All you must do is reach out and give us a call, we’ll dispatch someone out to the property as soon as possible.

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