If you’ve ever noticed a swarm of ladybug-like insects gathering on sunny walls, windowsills or other bright, warm areas of your home, chances are that you were looking at Asian lady beetles. These insects are widely misunderstood, and there’s a lot of misinformation floating around about them. This makes it harder to protect your home from these overwintering pests. So to clear things up, we’re here to bust five common myths and misconceptions about Asian lady beetles.
Myth #1: They’re just ladybugs.
First, it’s important to understand: Asian lady beetles are not ladybugs. They’re a completely different species, and a much more problematic one. Originally from Eastern Asia, these insects were brought over to North America for agricultural purposes. They’ve spread aggressively across the continent and are now considered invasive.
They share a similar round shape and spotted appearance to ladybugs, which is why they get confused. The easiest way to tell the difference is by the distinct black “M” marking on their heads.
Myth #2: They’re deadly to pets.
You may have heard alarming stories about how Asian lady beetles have caused the death of dogs and cats, and while the health concern to pets isn’t completely unfounded, “deadly” is a major overstatement. The real issue is that Asian lady beetles can irritate the soft tissue inside the mouth, causing ulcers and discomfort. If your pet eats a huge number of these beetles, they may even have some stomach upset. But this is extremely rare and highly unlikely to be fatal.
Myth #3: They destroy your home.
Unlike termites, carpenter ants and carpenter bees, Asian lady beetles don’t cause structural damage to your home. They don’t chew through wood, tunnel into walls or destroy insulation. The real issue is that they invade in huge numbers, and they can release a foul-smelling liquid when disturbed. This liquid can stain walls and fabrics if there’s a high volume of it. While this can be considered damage, Asian lady beetles are hardly destructive and are widely considered more of a nuisance pest.
Myth #4: You should crush them if you see them.
When people see Asian lady beetles in their house, they’re often tempted to crush them. That’s certainly not the best approach. That same foul-smelling yellow liquid they release when they’re threatened is also released when they’re squished. Crushing them does nothing but stain your belongings and leave a lingering odor. On top of that, it doesn’t solve the issue. It’s much more effective to vacuum them up and dispose of them outdoors.
Myth #5: They don’t bite.
This myth surprises a lot of people. How can a creature that looks so similar to the sweet, native ladybug we all know and love bite? Well, they do bite, but it’s more of a pinch. It’s not venomous and it rarely breaks the skin, but it can cause mild irritation for people with sensitive skin. They usually bite when they’re exploring or when they come in contact with the salty moisture of human sweat on the skin. Biting is also a reflex used to defend themselves if they feel threatened.
While some of these myths are more pressing than others, knowing a bit more about these spotted pests can be helpful if you ever run into an infestation. For help with an Asian lady beetle problem, call the pros at Pro-Staff at (515) 279-7378 for professional Des Moines pest treatment!
