Beetles Swarming Your House in Fall? Asian Lady Beetles Explained
On a warm fall afternoon, clouds of small orange beetles can gather on the sunny side of a house. They're usually Asian lady beetles, not the ladybugs from your garden.
How to tell them apart
- Asian lady beetle: Orange to red, with anywhere from no spots to many. Look for a white "M" or "W" shape just behind the head.
- Native ladybug: Usually bright red with black spots, and no "M" marking. They rarely gather in numbers indoors.
Are they a problem?
They don't damage your home. But they can nip, they release a smelly yellow fluid that can stain, and for some people they trigger allergies. Outdoors, they eat garden pests like aphids.
What to do
- Keep windows closed on warm fall afternoons, when they're most active.
- Vacuum the ones indoors and empty the vacuum right away. Don't crush them.
- Leave the ones outside alone. They're doing good in the garden.
When to call a pro
If you get heavy numbers every fall, contact a professional in early fall, before they move in. They can close the entry points and treat the outside of your home at the right time.