COLUMBUS, OH - Those little orange flitty bugs getting into homes, clothing and food this fall are ladybugs looking for a place to spend the winter, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.
These ladybugs (actually Asian Lady Beetles) were introduced in the late 1970s and early 1980s by researchers with the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a natural predator of agricultural pests, primarily wheat aphids. Introductions of ladybugs occurred in a number of states including Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and Washington. Their population has grown dramatically in Ohio in the last five years, especially in southern portions of the state.
This ladybug species is oval in shape and measures about 1/4-inch long. The bugs often have small spots on their wing covers and are generally pale yellow-orange to dark orange-red in color. Asian Lady Beetles feed on aphids and other harmful plant pests during the warm season. They also become unwanted guests in homes, buildings and at outdoor events.
As cool weather approaches, ladybugs are attracted to rock outcroppings, farm buildings and homes as they look for protected places to spend the winter. These movements generally occur October through mid-November. While completely harmless and safe, larger numbers of ladybugs that become concentrated in certain areas can become a nuisance.
They cannot breed or reproduce indoors. Those beetles that cannot find winter protection will eventually die as winter arrives. Surviving ladybugs will reemerge each spring and move outdoors to gardens and crop fields.
The simplest way to remove ladybugs from a dwelling is to use a vacuum cleaner. Sealing any cracks or space openings such as window frames, window screens, places where pipes and cables enter a building, doors, siding, facia boards, and attic vents is effective in helping prevent ladybugs from entering a residence or building.