Ladybug Invasion
About a year ago, when we moved out of the house in preparation for the remodel, ladybugs swarmed our bathroom. By “swarmed” I mean there were about a dozen. Which is a lot of ladybugs in an 830 square foot house.
Now that we are back, so are the ladybugs, only in much higher numbers. They buzz the lights in the kitchen, pair off on the bedroom ceiling, roam the bathroom mirror, and dive-bomb us on the deck.
What in the world would ladybugs want in our house? There can’t be anything for them to eat here. We have no house plants. As far as I can tell they are using it as a big nightclub where they can meet and breed.
Well.. if your neighbors are “green” gardeners they may have treated with ladybugs to get rid of other (more pernicious) garden pests. Your “swarm” may just be the unfortunate gathering place for those ladybugs. If I remember right when treating with Ladybugs it’s not unusual to dump 400-500 into the garden.. in which case the 10-12 that ended up in your house is only a small samping of the actual swarm.
Then again. Maybe they just like you.
I don’t think these are American lady bugs, these are their Asian cousins and sometimes they pinch trying to find out if you are edible. They are attracted to white or light colors and can often be found on the sides of light colored houses and barns (in their native habitat they roost on white cliffs in the sunlight). They like to come inside when it’s cold outside *and* as a defense they will bleed at will (orange colored) and stain things.
Other than that, they like eating bad aphids like the American kind so they are good, unless they are swarming inside your house!
Having recently moved from Texas myself I have first-hand experience with them. I’ve also found they reside here in Michigan.
You’ve been tagged by a fellow houseblogger! If you don’t know what I’m talking about, see my post on January 19.
warmth, they’re looking for warmth. Me too. And honestly, you can’t have too many lady bugs.
They’re probably eating mildew or mold.