13 Natural Ways to Get Rid of Asian Lady Beetles

It’s that time of year again when Asian lady beetles invade homes in search of a warmer habitat.

While they’re not generally harmful, their smell can be unpleasant. So what can you do to get rid of them?

In this post, we’ll highlight a few natural remedies you can try, but you must be consistent. Some of these remedies might take some time to work, but eventually, you’ll see a difference.

So, if you’re dealing with Asian lady beetles, read on for some helpful tips to control them naturally.

Identification

The Asian lady beetle (Harmonia axyridis) is native to Asia [1]. They were introduced to the United States to help combat aphids and other pests.

They go by different names. Some of these names 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 some homeowners, invading their houses in large numbers. When disturbed, they often let out an awful odor and stain surfaces with yellowish secretions.

These beetles can also cause damage to certain crops when they group up in large numbers. People often mistake them for good ladybugs.

How to Get Rid of Asian Lady Beetles Naturally

Below are some home remedies and natural methods to get Asian lady beetles out of your house or from the outdoors.

1. Vacuuming

One way to eliminate the beetles instantly is to vacuum them up.

However, this method isn’t foolproof, and if you have a lot of Asian lady beetles, it might take a while.

2. Bay Leaves

These leaves can be used to deter Asian lady beetles. Bay leaves emit a strong fragrance that these insects find offensive.

Therefore, place bay leaves around your home or anywhere you’ve noticed an infestation.

3. Mums

These are great Asian lady beetle-repellent plants.

The beetles do not like chrysanthemums. As a result, they’ll stay away from your home if you have these plants 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 after they crawl through it.

To use this product, 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.

Now, use it 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 also want to find and seal any cracks and crevices where the beetles can sneak into your home.

6. Light Traps

These traps are a great way to help reduce the number of these beetles in your home without using 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 get trapped inside once they go down.

7. Sticky Tapes

Sticky tapes are also handy for 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 cloves are bug-repellent, but they work well against some insects, including Asian ladybugs!

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 insects. Citrus oils, wintergreen, citronella, and peppermint are all effective in repelling Asian lady beetles.

To use these plant-based repellents, you’ll need to create a spray. Therefore, 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 certain natural predators into your garden to help control these beetles organically.

This won’t work overnight but will slowly reduce the Asian lady beetle population.

Some of the most common natural predators of Asian lady beetles are frogs, birds, and spined soldier bugs. Certain species of wasps also prey on ladybird larvae.

Moreover, toads eat ladybird beetles [2], so I assume they will eat these pests too.

11. Vinegar

When used correctly, vinegar can kill Asian beetles on contact.

You only need to 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, 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 remedies will help you keep them away.

If you have any other tips, 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.

Picture via Flickr