Table of Contents
Ladybug – What Type Of Insect Is It?
The ladybug is a member of the Coccinellidae family, which is comprised of both ladybugs (lady beetles) and beetles. The insects vary between 1/32” and ½” in length. The body and wings vary in color between red, yellow, and orange with tiny black spots. The antennas, head, and legs are also black. There are about 5,000 ladybug species worldwide with over 450 in North America. Unlike some insects, the ladybug is considered helpful in fields, apple orchards, and gardens because its diet consists of arachnids and other insects, such as the aphid, mealybug, and scale insect. The Mall of America is just one example of what role ladybugs play in maintaining the insect and arachnid population.
Ladybug Infestations – Why My Home?
Ladybugs are opportunist insects that spend the late summer season in search of safe, warm housing for the winter season. If your home offers the essentials, it will become a ladybug target. The ladybug just needs a small crevice to access your home. They will access the indoors through small cracks, holes, and plumbing pipe openings. Ladybugs were brought to North America to help control the aphid population around agricultural areas. The ladybug’s ability to find warm shelter during the winter months has contributed to a dramatic population increase. These insects have been shown to take shelter on walls to ensure quick interior access prior to hibernation.
Do Ladybugs Pose A Health Risk To Humans?
There is no evidence that shows ladybugs carry diseases or parasites that spread to humans. In fact, these insects are more of a nuisance than a human or animal health risk. The Asian lady beetle is the only ladybug species known to bite humans, but only in rare situations.
Ladybug Infestation Pest Control – What Are The Best Options?
Our ladybug pest control consists of commercial-grade pesticides and traps. Our pesticides can penetrate into the ladybug’s hiding place because they are so powerful. Since the ladybug does not seem to stick around after hibernation, homeowners can take this opportunity to set up a barrier around their property to prevent future infestations. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to delay treatment until the weather turns warm. If you refuse to wait until late spring to get rid of your ladybug problem, please do not hesitate to contact our local Boston office.
Does Ladybug Infestation DIY Treatment Work?
Ladybug infestations are extremely difficult to eradicate because of their hibernation behavior. For this reason, we only recommend commercial-grade pest control. Our exterminators have been trained to identify and eradicate ladybug infestations. Average people do not have these skills, experience, or access to commercial-grade pesticides, making it nearly impossible to fully eradicate even a mild ladybug infestation.
When Should I Expect The Exterminator To Arrive At My Home?
We generally dispatch one of our exterminators out to the customer’s home within 24 to 48 hours of the initial pest control request.
Is Ladybug Treatment Harmful?
Our ladybug treatment consists of pesticides and other pest control products that have been deemed “safe” by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). EPA-approved pesticides do not pose health risks to humans or animals as long as they are administered properly while the home is vacant.
Lady Bug Infestation Prevention – Does It Work?
Yes, as long as it creates a barrier around your home. To create this barrier, it is crucial to start by sealing off all potential access points around doors, windows, plumbing pipes, and electrical wiring. Since ladybugs do not become a household problem until late summer, you have plenty of time to prepare. With routine inspections of the interior and exterior of your home, it will be possible to detect ladybug infestations in the early phases.
If you have any other pest control issues please check out other services.
