It’s almost that time again. Your home is starting to look pretty attractive to certain outside pests like the Asian lady beetle (or lady bug) and the brown marmorated stink bug. When the weather starts to cool in the fall, these pests look for warmer places to spend the winter. If you’ve had to share your home with lady beetles in the past, you’re not alone, but there is help.

A few years ago, Ohio State University researchers Margaret Huelsman and Joe Kovach surveyed 1100 homeowners about their experiences with the Asian lady beetle. Respondents were asked to describe the landscape around their homes. It was found that having trees or a forest on any side of the home, but particularly on the north side, increased the chances of invading lady beetles, probably because the trees contrasted with the house making it appear more like a cliff (the beetles’ natural overwintering site in their native Asia).
Respondents were asked to report on problems associated with the beetles inside their homes: the beetles produced a foul smell (77%), stained various surfaces (71%), would fall into food or drink (41%), and would occasionally bite (42%). In addition, 13% of the respondents reported having an allergic reaction to the beetles. The allergic reactions were more common in highly beetle-infested houses than in those that were less infested.

Ninety percent of the respondents reported that they vacuumed, often several times a day, as the primary way to control the beetles. Thirty-four percent reported caulking around windows and doors but felt that caulking was only effective if used in conjunction with pesticide sprays.

Most respondents felt that the best control method was a pesticide applied to the exterior of the house. Pesticides applied a week before or after the lady beetles arrived to move in received the highest ratings for effectiveness. Now is the time to have one of our professionals treat around the exterior of your home to prevent the fall invasion of Asian lady beetles and other pests. Give us a call today so we can get you on the schedule!

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