The Battle is On
@GardenGerty (157696)
United States
November 21, 2016 3:03pm CST
This time of year there is often an invasion. It consists of Japanese Lady Beetles.These are not our native red ladybugs or lady birds but are the offspring of more aggressive beetles brought to the US to control pests.
When the weather becomes cold they seek a way to come inside. They will even crawl in your walls to hibernate and hatch more.
I had an awful mess of them last year in a couple of bedrooms. I know more about them this year. I also know they will bite.
They like to come in and live and die in my guest rooms.I am evicting them so that my daughter and her family can come sleep here on their way south.
One tip is to use citrus cleaners when you sweep or vacuum them out of your house. That is because they leave a scent trail otherwise.
Cleaning is hard for me today because I am supposed to be off my feet.My ankle, knee, and hip hurt a lot.
I think the bedroom is bug free now. Just have to move to the guest bathroom.I am adding citrus essential oils to all of my cleaners.
11 people like this
9 responses
@GardenGerty (157696)
• United States
21 Nov 16
Yeah, these were supposed to be very beneficial, but I will stick with our native species, thanks.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
21 Nov 16
We get them too, thanks for the citrus suggestion I didn't know that would help
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157696)
• United States
21 Nov 16
I know everywhere I have wiped down with citrus they just drop, and seems like they do not go back.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157696)
• United States
22 Nov 16
@fishtiger58 From what I have read the traditional ones die in the winter. These hibernate, sometimes in your walls.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
22 Nov 16
@GardenGerty I have noticed these nasty ladybugs for at least 20 years now and they just keep getting worse. I hardly ever see the red ones anymore.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157696)
• United States
22 Nov 16
It just seems to be getting worse all the time.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (159606)
• Boise, Idaho
22 Nov 16
Ooh! Beetles. Ugh! Don't mention those around me. Ugh!
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157696)
• United States
22 Nov 16
Yeah I know you have had your problems.
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50525)
• Centralia, Missouri
22 Nov 16
We had that issue in college, now and then, and you had to be careful, not only for bad luck, but the bad smell when you accident mushed one
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157696)
• United States
22 Nov 16
Yep, they do leave a scent and that is why they say to use citrus to do the cleanup.
1 person likes this
@CRK109 (14558)
• United States
22 Nov 16
We don't have that problem around here, but I did hear of a new problem. Some winter moths have infested the area and are laying eggs in the trees so that, in the spring, new moths will hatch and kill the trees. How I hate that this is happening.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157696)
• United States
22 Nov 16
We get those on black walnut trees. I know that BT treatment fights them in the caterpillar stage. The problem is that if you kill them you also likely kill desireable butterflies and moths.
1 person likes this
@CRK109 (14558)
• United States
23 Nov 16
@GardenGerty I haven't heard if they're going to do any treatments or not. By the sounds of it, spring won't be pretty at all..
@arthurchappell (45002)
• Preston, England
21 Nov 16
hope your leg pain eases soon and the swarm leaves you alone this season
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157696)
• United States
22 Nov 16
I will rest even more tomorrow. I believe it will be getting better.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157696)
• United States
22 Nov 16
It is a sweet smelling way to un invite them.
1 person likes this
