attack of the ladybugs!

[snwbnny]

We just moved into our rental and have discovered that we are infested with ladybugs. They are everywhere - all over the yard, decks, and even getting inside. We have planters full of 2 in piles of dead ones as well. We didn't have this problem at all at the house we just sold. So what's going on and what do we use to get rid of them?

[Weebs]

Its just that time of year on Wrightwood.  A Few times a year the ladybugs seem to decend upon Wrightwood in a feeding (or breeding?) frenzy.  Don't try to kill them!! They are harmful and are actually good for eating other nasty insects (like aphids who ruin rose bushes).  They will go away in a week or two..no worries.

[snwbnny]

Well when my bathtub has at least 10-20 every morning I think its time to get rid of em. I can't even walk outside without being a landing strip for at least 10 at a time. Let alone my dogs that are out there all day. I think one of them decided no more dog food - they'd just eat the ladybugs instead. I have to do something to at least deter them from coming to my yard in this insane number. What attracts them that I can get rid of?

[Nolena]

Hmmm. Probably they won't be back after this year now that you are living in this house. You can try hosing them off everything & fixing any entrance holes. Ladybugs overwinter in Wrightwood, but usually in the canyons. An insecticide would probably do more damage to your family & your pets than it is worth. Is there a way you can look under your house to see if they are there, too?
I would guess that you have no aphid problem (Lady bugs are predators & eat the insects that eat our plants.)
People actually pay money for lady bugs. Maybe you can give them away to people who want them (bring your own bag).
Gee, I don't know, but I gave it a shot.  

[ssgramma]

I have seen thim in LARGE quantity in my garden but they usually move on after they have eaten up whatever bugs are around that they like. They were here for a couple days a couple of weeks ago but I have none to speak of now. I had noticed white flies on some flowers and the tomatoes shortly before the ladies took care of them for me :>) I would give them a few days before using pesticide around kids or animals!

[oldsub]

They are coming to my house to die on my car's WINDOWSILLs
The black rubber below the car windows.
It's so strange. I've been walking a lot lately. Everytime I use the car I have to knock all the little ladies bodies away. WE, even had cobwebs on the passenger door handle. (WE being the car, cat, and me).

[headchat]

Ladybugs seem to like to swarm in the sunshine.  They act somewhat like flys.  So if you have a lot of sunshine try to shade your house in areas that are affected and see if that doesn't help.

[oldsub]

[easteregg]

OK, everyone having problems with garden pests grab a ziplock bag and get on over to snwbnny and oldsub's houses. Those little red critters are THE BEST defense against aphids and other devouring pests.

[snwbnny]

Well along with our yard sale next weekend we'll have  a ladybug sale!!!! I'll start collecting them this weekend and maybe bait them with someone's aphids and then you all can come pick em up on labor day!

[easteregg]

There ya go!!  

[oldsub]

Cars keep stopping at my house and people are running around the yard with zip lock bags catching the ladybugs. Thank you for saving us.
Now, about the ground squirrel who's taken up residenc\y in the car's air filter. no Kidding--I found nuts in it when I cleaned it.
Very Macho of me-

-o.k. my Dad did it.

[Nolena]

Hmmmmmm!

[jek134]

WOW! We just closed escrow on our cabin last month and when we came to do some fixing up last weekend we found hundreds, if not thousands, of ladybugs all over the back porch and in our mudroom! Needless to say, our 7 year old daughter LOVED it, but I was in shock! You couldn't even walk in that area because there were ladybugs (dead and alive) everywhere. The weird part was, they were INSIDE our screens and had gotten inside the mudroom from the back door somehow which makes me think we need to replace the door before the rain/cold gets here. If hundreds of ladybugs can get into the mudroom, I'm sure the cold wind will easily get through. My neighbor said they can bite.

[superMom]

Welcome to Wrightwood!!!  You will find that the annual
bug infestation changes - one year it is ladybugs, one year little
worms, one year butterflys, one year june-type bugs.  And the
gnats that buzz your head are EVERY year! 

[AvocadoFlyer]

Those gnats you speak of...is there a way to keep them away from one's head when outside enjoying one's yard?  Do citronella candles work?  They are highly annoying!!!

As for ladybugs; I don't mind the littel critters, they are beautiful, beneficial and harmless.

[sage]

As for ladybugs; I don't mind the littel critters, they are beautiful, beneficial and harmless.

They have been known to bite though!

Welcome to Wrightwood!!!  You will find that the annual
bug infestation changes - one year it is ladybugs, one year little
worms, one year butterflys, one year june-type bugs.  And the
gnats that buzz your head are EVERY year
And lets not forget the moth infestation every few years!

[ChrisLynnet]

I like ladybugs too, and they can indeed bite. Just a pin prick but you can feel it.

I HATE GNATS. Yuck.

But jek134, the bug storms don't last long, just a few weeks. I agree that the ladybugs should not have been able to get in and it might not be a bad thing that you found out now so you can get it fixed.

Welcome to Wrightwood, which is paradise on earth 95% of the time! 

[jek134]

YAY! Glad to be here! Thank you all for your warm welcomes!

As for the ladybugs, I don't mind them at all - it was just shocking to see so many of them. I would LOVE a butterfly infestation! Little worms, moths, and June bugs, however...not so much...

[luvroses]

Welcome Jek134! You really are lucky that it was only ladybugs, taking up residence in your cabin. About seven years ago, the whole town had a serious infestation of Millers Moths. Now, we normally get a few of them every spring-- but this this was horrible. Folks were on the boards here trying to figure out the best way to get rid of them. I know we just vacuumed ours up every evening -- for weeks!