Is Your Home a Ladybug Oasis? Try These Ways To Keep Them Out

When you see a ladybug, you might think it’s good luck. But when you see dozens of them inside your home, that only means one thing: you’re the unlucky victim of a ladybug infestation.

Why do ladybugs swarm indoors? And what can you do if they’ve invited themselves into your home? Here are a few tips on what to do if you have ladybugs in your house.

Why Do Ladybugs Swarm Inside?

Outside, ladybugs are very beneficial. In the summer, these garden helpers protect your crops and flowers from aphids. But inside your home, they can be a downright nuisance.

When the weather starts to cool, ladybugs like to heat things up by clustering together. You might have noticed a batch of ladybugs gathered on the exterior of your house and thought nothing of it, but they’ll soon look for a way to get inside and seek shelter.

How Can I Prevent Ladybugs in My House?

The best way to keep your home from becoming a ladybug winter retreat is by preventing the issue before it begins. Scour the outside of your home for gaps, cracks, and missing or broken window screens. Even intentional openings, like chimneys or vents, can be an entry point for opportunistic ladybugs.

Sealing cracks in your foundation, windowsills, walls, and door frames will not only help keep ladybugs out — it will also help prevent all sorts of pests from entering your home.

Can Ladybugs Damage My Home?

Thankfully, ladybugs are pretty polite. They won’t cause significant damage to the structure of your home. However, the Asian lady beetle, twin to the ladybug, can cause discoloration with their yellow secretions, leaving stains on your ceilings, windowsills and walls. Worst of all, they make a big stink when you crush them.

What Should I Do if Ladybugs Invade My House?

If your ladybug problem has you seeing spots, look for possible entry points. Search your home for openings or cracks and seal them up so that no more crafty beetles can make their way in. 

A small cluster of ladybugs can be taken care of with a broom, dustpan, or vacuum cleaner. You can even release them outdoors and far away from your home. But if you see a large swarm, it might be time to call in the professionals.

Lock Out the Ladybugs

It’s all fun and games until you find one too many ladybugs living in your home. If you find yourself with a ladybug problem, don’t wait. Call Hughes Exterminators for a personalized ladybug game plan.