It’s that time of year again when Asian lady beetles invade our homes with the intent of finding a place to shelter from the cold.
While they’re not generally harmful, their smell can be pretty unpleasant. So what can you do to get rid of them?
We’ll highlight in this post a few different methods that you can try, but it’s important that you are consistent. Some of these methods might take a little bit of time to work, but eventually, you’ll see a difference.
So if you’re dealing with an imposter lady bug invasion, read on for some helpful tips.
Identification
The Asian lady beetle (Harmonia axyridis) is native to Asia [1]. They were introduced to the United States to help do away with aphids and other pests.
They go by different names. Some of these include fake ladybugs, Chinese beetles, false ladybugs, colored ladybugs, Asian ladybird beetles, and Japanese ladybugs.
At certain times of the year, these beetles become a problem for homeowners, invading their houses in large numbers. And when they do, they often let out an awful odor and stain surfaces with their yellowish-orange body fluids.
The critters are small, oval-shaped beetles that are red, yellow, orange, or even black. There are also black spots on their wings, and their body length is around 1/4 inch. People often mistake them for good ladybugs.
Damage
These pesky critters can cause trouble in the house and outside. Asian lady beetles might be small, but they can wreak havoc if they’re not controlled.
They can damage certain crops when they group up in large numbers. They can also find their way into homes and other buildings and be a real pain to deal with.
The foul-smelling substance that they let out can stain walls, furniture, and other surfaces.
How to Get Rid of Asian Lady Beetles Naturally
If you see beetles that fit the description above, it’s time to dig for some home remedies and natural methods to get them out of your house or from the outdoors.
1. Vacuuming
One way to eliminate those orange ladybugs instantly is to vacuum them up.
But be warned: this method isn’t foolproof, and if you have a lot of lady beetles, it might take a while.
2. Bay Leaves
These leaves can also be used to deter Asian lady beetles. Bay leaves emit a strong fragrance that these imposter ladybugs find offensive.
Place bay leaves around your home or anywhere else you’ve noticed an infestation.
3. Mums
This is a great Asian lady beetle repellent plant. Having this knowledge should prompt you to plant them around your house, and they’ll do the rest!
The critters do not like mums. Therefore, they’ll stay away from your home, even more so if you have the plant near entry points such as doors and window sills.
4. Diatomaceous Earth
This is a great home remedy for killing Asian beetles. Diatomaceous earth (DE) will cause the beetles to dehydrate and die.
To use this white powder, simply sprinkle it around the border of your home or wherever you’ve seen the beetles.
You can also use DE to make a homemade spray to kill Asian beetles. Just mix 1 part DE with 4 parts water. Use this concoction to spray the beetles and their hangout spots.
When the water evaporates from it, it will work just as the raw powder would.
5. Seal Cracks and Crevices
You’ll want to find and seal up any cracks and crevices where the beetles might be able to sneak into your home.
Caulk or weather stripping are both great options for this. A chimney screen can also keep them from coming down your chimney.
6. Light Traps
These traps are a great way to help bring down the number of bad ladybugs in your home without the use of chemicals.
Buy a light trap online or anywhere you see them selling them. You can also make a DIY Asian lady beetle trap by cutting a water bottle in half. Next, use the top half to make a funnel that channels down into the bottom half of the bottle.
Place a light source in the funnel, leaving a little space for the critters to enter the other section of the bottle. The beetles will flock to the glittering light, and they will get trapped inside once they go down.
7. Sticky Tapes
Sticky tapes are very useful when it comes to getting rid of Asian lady beetles. Use them to trap the beetles and then dispose of them.
Just put the sticky tape around window sills and other areas where you think the beetles like to flock.
8. Cloves
You might not think of cloves as a bug repellent, but they work really well against some insects, including Asian lady bugs!
Just put some whole cloves in a bowl and place them where there is an Asian beetle infestation. The scent will make them leave for another location.
Alternatively, make a spray for Asian beetles using a few drops of clove oil in some water. Use it to spray entry points.
9. Essential Oils
There are a few different essential oils that can help repel these critters. Citrus oils, wintergreen, citronella, and peppermint are all effective in repelling them.
To use these plant-based repellents, you’ll need to create a spray. Fill a small spray bottle with water, and then add 5 to 10 drops of your chosen essential oil. Shake the bottle well to mix everything.
Once you have your spray, you can use it around your home and anywhere else you typically see Asian lady beetles.
10. Natural Predators
You can also introduce their natural predators into your garden to help control these beetles organically. This won’t work overnight, but it will slowly reduce the Asian lady beetle population over time.
Some of the most common natural predators of these pests are frogs, birds, and spined soldier bugs. Certain species of wasps also prey on ladybird larvae.
Moreover, toads eat ladybird beetles [2], so I’m assuming they will eat these pests too.
11. Vinegar
When used correctly, vinegar can kill Asian beetles on contact. All you need to do is pour some white vinegar into a spray bottle and spray the beetles directly.
Additionally, mix one part vinegar with one part water and use the solution to spray down affected areas. This mixture will remove the pheromones they leave behind.
12. Neem Oil
Neem oil is a natural insecticide that kills insects like Japanese beetles and other pests on plants. It can also be deadly for ladybugs and Asian lady beetles if they come into direct contact with it.
13. BugZooka
Another method you can try to catch Asian lady beetles is the BugZooka. This device uses a catch tube to suck up bugs.
To use it, simply turn it on and aim the nozzle at the critters. The vacuum will do the rest, and you can release them into a container or outside, away from your home.
Takeaway
Thanks for reading! If you see a lot of beetles that look like ladybugs inside your house, they are most likely Asian lady beetles. We hope these natural methods will help you do away with them.
If you have any other tips, be sure to share them in the comments below. Also, if you’re looking for more ways to keep your home pest-free, check out our other pest control blog posts.
Thank you for your advice. I had an invasion of these bugs in my house, some get into my bed and they actually do bite and smell horribly when you touch them or crush them, I vaccum them but they are persistant.