What You Should Know About Ladybugs Around Your Columbia, SC Home
October 27, 2020
Ladybugs are anything but friendly and ladylike. Most ladybugs in America aren’t even actual ladybugs (more on that below) if you break it down. If don’t know much about these invasive and colorful pests, but know you don’t want them inside your Columbia home, here is some information to consider.
Most Ladybugs Are Not Ladybugs
This probably comes off as a confusing and oxymoronic statement, so let us explain. Up until about 1916, the ladybug was the only red-colored, black-spotted beetle in the United States. It was in that year, however, that a new species of beetle called the Asian lady beetle appeared in the country.
The reason for their rise was that Asian lady beetles were more effective at killing harmful agricultural pests like aphids, so farmers weren’t too bothered by their presence. What they didn’t know, however, was that by introducing Asian lady beetles, the well-known ladybug would one day fall off the food chain. Flash forward to 2020, and there are officially more Asian lady beetles in the United States than there are ladybugs. For the sake of consistency and for the fact that these two pests are so similar, we will be calling them both ladybugs today.
Ladybugs Are Not Primarily Indoor Pests
During the warmer months of the year, ladybugs have no interest in invading homes. All they want is to live peacefully outdoors and feed on insects like aphids and other plant-eating pests. The only time ladybugs start thinking about coming inside is when the weather starts getting cold outside. It is at this point that these beneficial agricultural insects become annoying house pests.
How Ladybug Infestations Start
Most infestations start with large numbers of ladybugs congregating on the side of a home that gets the most direct sunlight. From here, these vibrant pests find cracks, gaps, and holes in the home’s exterior to crawl their way inside.
One thing you should know is that ladybugs don’t prefer interacting with humans and will do their best to stay out of your way while hibernating inside your home. The ladybugs you see buzzing around inside are wanderers that got away from their friends who are all clumped up in a hidden crack or crevice.
Preventing Ladybugs
The good news is that ladybugs are preventable in the same way other common fall pests are. The bad news is that it takes a ton of effort to prevent fall pests. If you are up for the task, here are a few things you need to do soon:
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Use high-quality silicone or silicone-latex caulk to seal openings in your home’s exterior foundation.
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Repair damage to your home’s siding, roofline, shingles, and chimney.
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Address issues with weatherstripping.
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Make sure all of your exterior doors have door sweeps.
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Fix damage to window/door screens.
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Consider painting your house a darker color.
An Easier Way To Stop Ladybugs
If you are looking for a one and done solution to keep ladybugs out of your Columbia home this fall and winter, look no further than Go-Forth Pest Control. We have what it takes to establish an effective pest barrier around your home’s exterior. If you are on the fence on whether we are your best option for service, consider this.
We are A+ rated with the BBB, have 50+ years of experience, are affiliated with both the NCPMA and the NPMA, and are a proud winner of an Angie’s List Super Service award. Give our team a call today to further discuss our pest control plans and find one that best suits your Columbia home’s needs.
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