LadyBirds are pests (large number in and around the locality) (Lounged)

[derwent]

Has anyone else noticed a rather large number of ladybirds in an around the locality. I'm finding a fair few on my windows recently and I was was wondering how to prevent them from coming back, as they are very annoying (and I gather could be these american biting ones that are destroying our indigenous ones). Thanks

[pearcesa]

I have had an infestation in my flat, as fast as I kill them they appear again, they are varied colours and I have a suspicion they are the nasty american 'ladybugs'.

I would love to know how you rid yourself of them!!!

[Asset]

they are called harlequin lady birds and yes they are killing off our nicely behaved indigineous ones. there is a study going on; google it, they want info on where and when you've seen them poss with a live specimen sent for verification.

[derwent]

yes, thanks for that. I'll look for the folk conducting the study and see if they can advise on control measures etc

[Nero]

Saw a big bumblebee today. It was mainly dark brown/black and could be heard through my double glazing. It was about 1.5 inches long. Think it might freeze later. Nero

[derwent]

http://www.harlequin-survey.org/default.htm. this is the url for the survey. Apparently, not one easy way to get rid of them. One tip is to thoroughly clean where you have found them, as they leave a secretion that attracts others to the same spot. I'll give that a go.

[seanmlow]

Oh my GOD! When I moved into my house each room was filled with these pests in the corner of the window. They are dark and don't look like normal ladybirds. The pest control guy said they are foreign and eat the British ones!

They way they nest is utterly revolting. I threw a shoe at the nest and they flew around the room like something out of a Hitchcock movie!

[derwent]

did you get the local council pest man to come over?

[Bookworm]

We found masses of them living in the window frames of my daughter's bedroom. She sprayed them with cheap Barbie perfume, which got rid of them temporarily (but made the room stink). We've noticed a few have come back but not in the same number as before. Someone did suggest bleach might work, which would probably get rid of the secretions.

[derwent]

i tried bleach this w/e and most have gone but i did notice a couple more today. i think a more extreme treatment may be required at a later date. those pesky bugs...

[seanmlow]

The pest guys sprayed some weird coloured liquid on them. They have never returned!

The lettings agents sorted it, after A LOT of calling and hounding. Apparently, these little sods don't come under 'pests'.

[pearcesa]

I am at my wits end with these damn things! Every time I have my heating on and the light on, they appear through the gap in my sash window, I had about a dozen on Saturday crawling around on the glass. As fast as I kill them they appear again.

Does anyone know if they go away once the weather gets warmer? Are they seasonal?

Is it really a case of pest control? (6)

[derwent]

I have just sent at email off to the pest control dept at the council to see if they have any pearls of wisdom although i would not hold my breath!

[seanmlow]

It is - they are little sods and love the heat.

DON'T pay over the odds with pest control. I only got it because the letting agents paid. You can get rid of them with something like Window Cleaner sprayed onto them according to the dudes who came round to mine.

[pearcesa]

Aaah, great I will try that! I need to rid myself of the pests, it's worse at night as they collect on my lamp and buzz around.

Fingers crossed they soon buzz off!

[seanmlow]

Yeah they like the light! They are foul aren't they? And they BITE!

[pearcesa]

Thanks for the warning! I always squash them in kitchen paper and flush them down the loo! It's the black ones with the red dots that freak me out! Urgh!

[mamafeelgood]

i have happily cohabited with a load since moving in, the only reason i would like them all dead is due to their cruel british bating. so i look forward to hearing of any good tricks to get rid of them, i wonder if C no.5 will have the same effect as barbie perfume....

[Amelie]

I have ladybirds in my kitchen, sometimes as many as 12, they don't bother me particularly apart from their kamikaze zooming around the hob when one of the burners is on. My mother told me that they are supposed to be lucky, so I try to avoid killing them.

[pearcesa]

I heard that too, but they are not true ladybirds, these things are horrid and they bite! I've got about the same amount in my lounge and the zooming around my head drives me nuts!

I've just tried the window cleaner trick but now three more have appeared!

[seanmlow]

You need to hoover all the remaining ones away first. Then try and suffocate them with air freshener!

[Administrator]

I am moving this discussion about ladybirds to the Lounge area

[derwent]

-- moved topic --

[talfourdite]

We've suddenly been infested with them in two of our rooms' window frames - Derwent, can you let me know if you get any decent info from the pest control, they're sending me nuts!

thanks.

[derwent]

nothing as yet from pest control...they have not replied to my emails...what I have tried to do though in the interim is use some builders caulk to fill in any gaps there are in and around the sash window sills...it's also recommende that this is also done on the outside of properties to eradicate any potential nest locations for the little critters...

PS according to various websites that I have looked at there is NO working pesticide against them