Asian Lady Beetle
Latin Name: Harmonia axyridis
What are Asian lady beetles?
Asian lady beetles are small, dome-shaped insects commonly found in lawns, gardens, fields, and wooded areas. Outdoors, they can be beneficial because they feed on aphids and other garden pests. However, they become a problem when they move inside homes and buildings to overwinter.
What do Asian lady beetles look like?
Asian lady beetles have smooth, shiny, rounded bodies. They are often red with black spots, but they can also be orange or yellow. Some may have very few spots or no spots at all. One of the easiest ways to identify them is by the black "M" or "W" shaped marking on the shield-like area behind their head.
Where will I find Asian lady beetles?
Most of the year, Asian lady beetles live outside in yards, gardens, fields, and wooded areas. Homes located near wooded lots, open fields, or heavy landscaping may be more likely to experience problems with these pests.
Once they move indoors, Asian lady beetles often hide in dark, protected areas such as attics, wall voids, ceilings, behind trim, and around doors and windows. They may also gather in warm, humid, or moisture-prone areas inside the home.
Why do I have an Asian lady beetle problem?
Asian lady beetles usually become a problem when they choose your home as a place to overwinter. In the fall, they gather on the warm, sunny sides of homes and buildings as temperatures begin to drop. As they crawl along the exterior, they can slip inside through cracks, gaps, vents, soffits, and openings around windows and doors.
Once inside, they stay hidden through the colder months. When the weather warms up in spring, they become active again and try to move back outside.
Are Asian lady beetles dangerous?
Asian lady beetles are mostly considered nuisance pests. They are not a major threat to people or property, but they can invade homes in large numbers and be difficult to control once they are inside.
When crushed or disturbed, Asian lady beetles may release an unpleasant odor and a yellowish fluid that can stain walls, curtains, furniture, and other surfaces.
How can I help prevent Asian lady beetles?
The best way to reduce Asian lady beetle problems is to keep them from entering in the first place. Sealing cracks, repairing screens, closing gaps around doors and windows, and treating exterior entry points before cooler weather arrives can help prevent them from overwintering inside your home.