Asian Lady Beetles

How to identify Asian Lady Beetles

Larger than most other lady beetles, these pests can grow up to 8mm long. Other characteristics include:

• Orange, red, or yellow colour.
• Black spots on the body.
• Marking similar to the letter m behind the head.

Asian lady beetle larvae are longer, with flat, black bodies covered in tiny spines.

Signs of an infestation

Finding large numbers of these pests grouped together is the most common sign of infestation. Piles of dead Asian lady beetles may also collect in light fixtures and around windows.

Asian Lady Beetles Removal

Since Asian lady beetles are known to gather in overwhelming numbers, getting rid of entire infestations can be costly and time consuming. To thoroughly remove Asian lady beetles from the home, contact the professionals at Orkin.

How to prevent Asian Lady Beetles from invading

These pests can enter houses and other structures through the smallest of openings, which makes keeping them out a difficult task. Winterizing the home, sealing all gaps or cracks, and repairing damaged screens helps to keep Asian lady beetles out of the home.

Habitat, Diet, and Life Cycle

Habitat

Asian lady beetles thrive throughout the country, in both rural and urban settings. As they eat pests that damage crops, gardens, farmlands, and ornamental plants are all preferred habitats.

Diet

These beetles feed on a variety of soft-bodied crop pests, including aphids.

Life Cycle

Lady beetles can live for over a year. During this time, they go through four distinct life stages. They are:

• Egg: Laid in spring, eggs hatch in about three to five days.
• Larvae: Larvae emerge and seek out pest insects to feed on.
• Pupae: There are four molts before lady beetles pupate.
• Adult: Within several days, adults leave the pupal case.

Commonly Asked Questions

How worried should I be about Asian lady beetles?

In the garden, Asian lady beetles are beneficial, eating pests that damage crops, gardens, farmlands, and ornamental plants.

In the home, these beetles are a nuisance, although not dangerous. They do not transmit disease, and although they bite occasionally, they do not break the skin.

However, Asian lady beetles do secrete a foul-smelling yellow liquid that can stain surfaces. You may also find piles of dead Asian lady beetles collected in light fixtures and around windows.

These beetles can gather in overwhelming numbers, so getting rid of entire infestations can be costly and time consuming. It is crucial to get help from a professional pest control service.

Why do I have Asian lady beetles?

Native to Asia, these beetles were released in the US decades ago as a form of natural pest control. However, they have now become a nuisance in Canada.

Asian lady beetles can live for more than a year and thrive in both rural and urban environments, attracted to soft-bodied crop and garden pests like aphids.

During the winter months, Asian lady beetles also invade homes to shelter from the cold, entering through tiny cracks and gaps.