# Lady Bugs!!! **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 5, 2008, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lady-bugs/436436 "2008-02-05T21:41:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![big\_builder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/aeb1de/32.png) [@big\_builder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/big_builder)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2008, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lady-bugs/436436/1 "2008-02-05T21:41:12Z")
Hey everyone, Love the forum. I have been infested with Lady Bugs ( Asian variety) They are everywhere!. I have a very large house with hundreds of places for these things to hide and enter ( into attic). I recently went into the attic and I can see tonnes of little communities huddled in every nook and cranny. I want to kill these suckers! What is the best and stongest pesticide I can apply to kill them. I want to go into my attic with my garden sprayer and spray in all the places to kill them. I would also like something that has a residual effect as well. Thanks for all your effforts. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2008, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lady-bugs/436436/2 "2008-02-05T22:05:50Z")
I have that problem every few years as well. So far I have no answers, but will be watching this thread. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2008, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lady-bugs/436436/3 "2008-02-05T22:13:54Z")
A five-second Google search brought up: > [@](#): > > Once ladybugs have become established in the home, there aren’t a lot of treatment options. There are not a lot of recommended chemical measures at this point. The easiest way to remove ladybugs, once they are indoors, is with a vacuum cleaner. Source: [How to Get Rid of Lady Bugs](http://doyourownpestcontrol.com/lady_bugs.htm) > [@](#): > > **Q. How can I get them out of my house?** > A. If you don’t have a lot, just leave them. They will leave when spring arrives. Disturbing them will only cause them to stress out leaving yellow markings on your walls. The yellow stuff, you see, is not waste matter, but rather, their blood. Ladybugs release a small amount of their blood which is yellow and smells, when they sense danger. Some people have said that it does stain on light colored surfaces. > > **Q. But, I really want the ladybugs out of my house!** > A. Use a “shop vacuum”. This type of vacuum is easy to use for collect ladybugs. When using this to vacuum up ladybugs, use a clean bag or pad the bottom with a cloth. After all is clean, release the unwelcome guests outside. Source: [Ladybug Facts - Learn About Nature](http://www.ladybuglady.com/LadybugsFAQ.htm) I would caution the use of any pesticide in your home, basement or attic. While your intent may be to eradicate something you consider a pest, you also run the risk of injuring anything else in your home, such as you, your family and your pets. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2008, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lady-bugs/436436/4 "2008-02-05T22:26:35Z")
I use a vacuum for large masses, and a pieces of duct tape for up to maybe thirty. I know the duct tape ones are permanently gone. I capture maybe 10 and fold the tape over and make sure the edges completely seal.The duct tape works good in that the house doesn’t fill with that stink, which causes breathing problems for me. Here’s a hint. They head to white and light. The siding of a white house in the sun is a beacon. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2008, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lady-bugs/436436/5 "2008-02-05T22:43:34Z")
By the way, getting sucked into a vacuum cleaner often does not kill the lady bugs. They’re very sturdy. You can spray insecticide into the running vac, or change the bag. If you just put the machine away, they’ll crawl right back out. ---
**Author:** ![A.R.Cane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee7513/32.png) [@A.R.Cane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A.R.Cane)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2008, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lady-bugs/436436/6 "2008-02-05T23:06:28Z")
Are you aware that they sell ladybugs? [http://www.growquest.com/ladybugs.htm](http://www.growquest.com/ladybugs.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2008, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lady-bugs/436436/7 "2008-02-05T23:10:35Z")
They sell rats too, but I doubt big builder wants then in the attic either. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2008, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lady-bugs/436436/8 "2008-02-05T23:13:11Z")
Repeat after me: Ladybug, ladybug fly away home… ---
**Author:** ![big\_builder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/aeb1de/32.png) [@big\_builder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/big_builder)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2008, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lady-bugs/436436/9 "2008-02-05T23:30:09Z")
I have been doing the shopvac thing for about a year now and it doesn’t do anything. Remember we are talking about hordes here!!! What I need is a large scale solution. I am currently putting bug screens inside all my soffits ( big job) and going around and sealing all the cracks and stuff. I have read pretty much all the posts online aobut this subject. I am considering setting off a whack of flea or roach bombs in the attic. What to you people think about that? I have also read that prerethrin ( spelling?) will kill them. I don’t know how dangerous that stuff is though. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2008, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lady-bugs/436436/10 "2008-02-05T23:37:25Z")
[QUOTE=A.R. Cane] Are you aware that they sell ladybugs? [http://www.growquest.com/ladybugs.htm](http://www.growquest.com/ladybugs.htm) [/QUOTE] I don’t suppose that will be these Asian harlequin ones though. ---
**Author:** ![big\_builder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/aeb1de/32.png) [@big\_builder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/big_builder)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2008, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lady-bugs/436436/11 "2008-02-05T23:44:25Z")
Duckster, I think the doyourown…is the best source I have found yet. Now I have to see if I can get the stuff. Might be that you need a licence to buy. I will find out. ---
**Author:** ![big\_builder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/aeb1de/32.png) [@big\_builder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/big_builder)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2008, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lady-bugs/436436/12 "2008-02-05T23:45:59Z")
oh ya. I was encouraged to read that they don’t reproduce inside. Maybe a little hope here. ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2008, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lady-bugs/436436/13 "2008-02-05T23:50:38Z")
[ObAliens] Nuke 'em from orbit - it’s the only way to be sure [/ObAliens] Brian ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2008, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lady-bugs/436436/14 "2008-02-06T00:38:44Z")
[Non-toxic trap.](http://www.gardensalive.com/product.asp?pn=2619) ---
**Author:** ![big\_builder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/aeb1de/32.png) [@big\_builder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/big_builder)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2008, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lady-bugs/436436/15 "2008-02-06T01:03:42Z")
Tried them. Only good if you are interested in catching a few. I really don’t want to look at fifty of those around my house. ---
**Author:** ![freckafree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/freckafree/32/3050_2.png) [@freckafree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckafree)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2008, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lady-bugs/436436/16 "2008-02-06T01:04:45Z")
A [$10 do-it-yourself trap](http://extension.osu.edu/~news/story.php?id=2316) from one of my colleagues! ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2008, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lady-bugs/436436/17 "2008-02-06T06:23:59Z")
Perhaps you’re dealing with a different critter-[the multicolored Asian lady beetle](http://creatures.ifas.ufl.edu/beneficial/multicolored_asian_lady_beetle.htm). ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2008, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lady-bugs/436436/18 "2008-02-06T17:09:33Z")
[QUOTE=Rhythmdvl] Repeat after me: Ladybug, ladybug fly away home… [/QUOTE] But, they’re Asian ladybugs. Do you know the rhyme in Mandarin? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2008, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lady-bugs/436436/19 "2008-02-06T17:23:14Z")
[QUOTE=danceswithcats] Perhaps you’re dealing with a different critter-[the multicolored Asian lady beetle](http://creatures.ifas.ufl.edu/beneficial/multicolored_asian_lady_beetle.htm). [/QUOTE] As the OP says in the OP? ---
**Author:** ![mmouse9799](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@mmouse9799](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mmouse9799)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2008, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lady-bugs/436436/20 "2008-02-06T17:52:38Z")
From what I know of these bugs, they are almost impossible to get rid of. In college, my roommate and I counted over 500 in our dorm room. \*That was one room. \* If you live near any farm land, that is probably the source of your problem. Farmers bring them in every year as a pesticide, and then when the crops are harvested, the little buggers invade everywhere they can. It also does not help to have screens on your windows as the devils will chew right through them. I know a lot of people who vaccuum them, but if you vaccuum them alive you do have that awful smell. I’m sorry I don’t have a real answer–I don’t think there is one. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lady-bugs/436436.md?page=2)