When the weather turns cool in the fall, you might see a lot of ladybugs. They often gather on the sunny side of your house. Soon, they might find their way inside. A few ladybugs can be cute. But a large group of them can be a big pain. This makes many people ask, how to get rid of ladybugs? The good news is you can solve this problem with a few easy steps.
This guide will give you a full 8-step plan. It will help you get rid of ladybugs in your home for good. We will focus on safe and simple ways to remove them. We will also cover the best way to keep them from coming back. By the end, you will have a clear plan. You will be ready to make your home a pest-free space once again.
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Step 1: Are They Really Ladybugs?
Before you start, it is good to know what kind of bug you have. Most of the “ladybugs” that come inside are not the native kind. They are often an insect called the Asian Lady Beetle.
Native ladybugs are very helpful. They eat garden pests. Asian Lady Beetles can be a problem. They can bite and leave a bad smell.
How Can You Tell the Difference?
It can be hard to tell them apart. But there is one key sign. Look at the spot behind the bug’s head.
- Asian Lady Beetles often have a white “M” shape in this spot.
- Native ladybugs do not have this “M” shape.
The tips in this guide will work for both. But it is good to know what you are dealing with.
Why Do They Come Inside Your House?
These bugs come inside to find a warm place for the winter. Your house is the perfect spot for them to hide from the cold. They are not there to eat your food or damage your home. They are just looking for a safe place to wait out the winter. This is a key part of how to get rid of ladybugs.
Step 2: How to Find How They Are Getting In
The most key step is to find out how the ladybugs are getting into your house. They are very small. They can fit through tiny cracks and holes. You need to be a detective and look for their entry points.
If you can find and seal these spots, you can stop the problem for good.
Where Should You Look for Cracks and Gaps?
Look in all these common problem spots:
- Around Windows and Doors: Check the seals and the frames.
- In Your Siding: Look for any small cracks or holes.
- Where Wires and Pipes Enter: Check the spots where utility lines go into your house.
- In Your Foundation: Look for any small cracks in your home’s base.
- Vents and Chimneys: Make sure your vents have screens on them.
Step 3: How to Get Rid of Ladybugs by Sealing Your Home
Once you have found the entry points, you need to seal them up. This is the best long-term fix. It is the only way to be sure they will not come back next year.
This step might take some time. But it is well worth the effort.
What is the Best Way to Seal Small Cracks?
You can use caulk or a sealant to fill in any small cracks you find. You can buy these at any hardware store. Go around the outside of your home and fill in every gap you see.
Pay special attention to the areas around your windows and doors. This is where most pests get in.
How Do You Seal Bigger Gaps?
For larger gaps, you might need to use expanding foam. You can also use steel wool. Pests do not like to chew through steel wool.
You should also check the weather stripping on your doors. If it is old and worn out, you should replace it.
Step 4: How to Use Your Vacuum to Remove Ladybugs
If you already have ladybugs in your home, the easiest way to get rid of them is with a vacuum cleaner. This is a fast and chemical-free way to remove a lot of them at once.
Just be sure to empty the vacuum bag right away.
What is the Best Way to Vacuum Ladybugs?
Use the hose attachment on your vacuum. This will let you get into corners and up on ceilings. Gently vacuum up the ladybugs you see.
Try not to crush them. When they are scared, they can release a yellow fluid that can stain your walls and furniture.
What Should You Do with the Vacuum Bag?
After you are done, you should take the vacuum bag outside right away. You can either throw the sealed bag in the trash. Or you can empty the contents into a bucket of soapy water. This will make sure the ladybugs do not just crawl back out.
Step 5: How to Make a Simple Light Trap
You can also make a simple trap to catch ladybugs. Ladybugs are drawn to light. You can use this to your advantage.
This is a simple trick you can set up at night.
How to Get Rid of Ladybugs with a Light Trap?
- Get a lamp or a small light.
- Place it in the middle of the room where you have seen the most ladybugs.
- Under the light, place a wide bowl or a pan filled with soapy water.
- Turn off all the other lights in the room.
The ladybugs will be drawn to the light. They will then fall into the soapy water and not be able to get out.
Step 6: How to Use Natural Smells They Hate
Ladybugs do not like certain strong smells. You can use these scents to make your home a less inviting place for them. These are safe and natural methods.
This is a great way to help keep them from coming in.
How to Get Rid of Ladybugs with Citrus Scents?
Ladybugs do not like the smell of citrus. You can use lemon or orange oil. Mix a few drops with water in a spray bottle. Spray this around your windows and doors.
You can also just leave lemon or orange peels in the areas where they gather.
What Other Scents Can You Use?
- Cloves and Bay Leaves: You can place small bags of whole cloves or bay leaves in your home.
- Mums: Chrysanthemums are a type of flower that ladybugs do not like. You can plant them around your house.
Step 7: How to Use Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth, or DE, is a natural powder. It is made from tiny, old water plants. It is safe for humans and pets, but it is deadly to many insects.
You can use this as a barrier to stop ladybugs.
How to Get Rid of Ladybugs with Diatomaceous Earth?
Buy food-grade DE. Sprinkle a thin layer of it in the spots where ladybugs get in. This could be along window sills or in your attic.
The powder has tiny sharp edges. It will cut the bugs’ hard shells and cause them to dry out.
Step 8: When is it Time to Call a Professional?
If you have a very large number of ladybugs, you might need to call a pro. Sometimes, a home can have thousands of them hiding in the walls.
A pest control company can help you with a very big problem.
How to Get Rid of Ladybugs with a Pro’s Help?
A pro has access to stronger products. They can also help you find and seal all the entry points.
Look for a company that uses safe and responsible methods. For more on this, you can look at school resources, like this guide on ladybugs in the home from the University of Maryland Extension.
What is the Final Verdict on How to Get Rid of Ladybugs?
So, how to get rid of ladybugs? The final answer is to focus on stopping them from getting in. Sealing your home is the most key step.
For the ones that are already inside, use simple and safe methods like a vacuum or a soap trap. The question of how to get rid of ladybugs is one you can solve with a little bit of work and a good plan.
FAQ – How to Get Rid of Ladybugs
When should I consider hiring a professional pest control service for ladybugs?
You should contact a professional if you find a very large infestation, possibly thousands of ladybugs hiding within your walls, as they have access to stronger treatments and can help identify entry points.
How can I safely remove ladybugs already inside my home?
A vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment can be used to gently remove ladybugs, and it is important to immediately empty or seal the vacuum bag afterwards to prevent them from escaping.
What are the most effective ways to prevent ladybugs from entering my home?
You should look for and seal small cracks and gaps around windows, doors, siding, wiring, pipes, vents, and the foundation, using caulk, sealant, expanding foam, steel wool, or replacing worn weather stripping.
Why do ladybugs come inside my house in the fall?
Ladybugs enter homes during the fall to find a warm shelter for the winter, not because they are attracted to food or damaging your home; they seek a safe place to hibernate.
How can I identify if the bugs in my house are actually ladybugs?
Most of the bugs called ladybugs are actually Asian Lady Beetles, which can be distinguished by a white ‘M’ shape behind their heads, unlike native ladybugs which lack this marking.
