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Pest Control 101 > Treating for Ladybugs |
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But, in the last few years, increasing numbers of customers are looking for relief from ladybugs that are "invading" their homes. Why? In an attempt to sell "natural pest control", certain companies around the country have been importing ladybugs from other parts of the world and selling them. These ladybugs have been marketed as being more aggressive and hearty than our own native species. One feature of their biology, however, is that they do not die each Winter. They hibernate. The imported ladybugs like to spend the Winter on mountainsides, rocks, and in caves. Where such places do not exist they are taking advantage of the next best thing - our homes! They seem to be seeking a comfortable temperatures as well as cracks and crevices. Homes with cedar shakes or other wood siding seem to be more vulnerable. This hibernating will last throughout the Winter and then they will emerge in the following Spring. Most of the complaints involve massive numbers of these ladybugs finding their way into living areas. Though they don't sting, ladybugs can bite. But, this seems to happen in most cases when people are handling them. To stop them from penetrating your home, spray your siding with Cypermethrin. The Cypermethrin will provide a fast kill and has a residual effect that lasts a few weeks. Simply dilute the Cypermethrin concentrate and spray it on the sides of your house, using a Pump Sprayer. Try to identify where they are invading. Once diluted, one gallon treats 1,000 square feet and most infestations are only on one or two sides of a home. For bad problems, you may need to treat all sides. This treatment will be needed in both the Fall and the Spring. If you have them emerging inside the home, Spray Invader HPX from an aerosol can. This product has a crack and crevice applicator which allows you to treat around windows, molding, and light fixtures. These are common routes of entry. Unfortunately, Cypermethrin doesn't work very well in attics or crawl spaces. The dry porous wood and materials tend to absorb the Cypermethrin, which takes away its residual effects. Instead, treat with DeltaDust for maximum protection. Once the attic or crawl space is treated, ladybugs will quickly die. The residual effect of the DeltaDust will provide continuous protection so no new infestations will be able to live and breed. Dust is dry and will last several months and in most cases up to a year. Combine this with spraying the outside of your home and you will have effective ladybug control. But remember, they will continue to return to your home and as long as your house has open cracks and crevices for them to enter. For this reason, you may want to do some "house sealing". Most homes that get invaded have lots and lots of small cracks, crevices and gaps through which ladybugs enter. These entry points should be reduced and/or eliminated with the use of some caulk or foam sealant.
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