ladybirds infestation!

[loveED86]

my daughters bedroom has been taken over by ladybirds! About 6 are grouped in the corner by the window (inside) and a couple crawling along the floor. I think a bit extreme for pest control (dont think they deal with ladybirds anyway!)but how do I get rid, my daughter will soon refuse to sleep in her room if any more arrive, guess they're hibernating but they will need to find somewhere else!

[LadyNorwood]

Six? We have scores and scores of them everyday in the dining room - the back of the house looks like a dot-to-dot picture... Vacuum them up - as soon as it gets colder they'll disappear....

[Guest]

Likewise, we're finding dozens congregating around the windows and curtains everyday.

Any other solution other than hoovering them?

[loveED86]

It started of with a couple which I ignored but then over the week more have arrived, Its not so much about the numbers now I just dont want the problem to get worse.

[LadyNorwood]

Apparently wiping down window frames (and any other points of entry) with Olbas oil (or similar) helps - they hate menthol.... Brings back nightmares from the summer of 76.....

[mancity68]

Us too. I think they live in the sash windows. They come back every year. Hoovering seems to be only solution but will try the Olbas oil tip!

[Rosie Posy]

Why don't you move them to a room where they can stay over the winter, they are good insects after all, helping to get rid of greenfly in the garden, maybe move them to the shed? I know it is irrational but if they were spiders I woul squish them, or get Hubby or eldest Son to remove them, (but that usually involves chasing me round the house pretending to throw said spider at me, and/or falling to their knees and screaming NO...NO..AAAAARGH! IT'S GOT ME!!!!) Wearing a bit thin now guys, after 24 years of it FFS!

[Burbage]

They're gathering for hibernation, apparently. For at least the second time this year, which suggests the weather isn't helping.

If they decide to hibernate indoors then, assuming you can afford heating, they're likely to wake up too early and die for lack of food. If you're in that lucky position but still have concerns, you can make a home for them with something waterproof (a plastic box or bottle will do) filled with corrugated cardboard. Put the ladybirds in the box (gently), and then stick it in the garden.

If you're not, then it won't matter much. They don't do much when they're hibernating, so you needn't worry about the noise or the furniture.

[mancity68]

And to make it worse - ours are 'bad' ladybirds ie not native 'good' ladybirds. If they were good ones I'd not be hoovering them.

[unlurked]

Pick them up and put them outside. No need for cruelty.

[davidh]

help! help! save us from the attack of the ladybirds. just hark at yourselves.

[aquarius moon]

unlurked Wrote:

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> Pick them up and put them outside. No need for

> cruelty.

Totally agree

[Whittler]

A typically measured, objective piece in the News Shopper about this very issue http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/10733408.Poisonous_ladybirds_living_in_News_Shopper_area__will_bite_humans_/?ref=ms

[Louisa]

Blimey they're ladybirds, my mother always told me they were on a par with butterflies and bumblebees as the loveliest insects of all. You can't harm them! Woolies even named their clothing brand after them, come on!?

Louisa.

[mancity68]

Unless they're the nasty orange ladybirds that eat the splendid red ladybirds that is.

[intexasatthe moment]

Umm - but don't they give off rather a strange smell ?

[The Minkey]

Smelly ladybirds? Not that I've ever noticed. Though the Harlequin ladybird - the invader one that's eating our native species - does leave yellow stains apparantly, so maybe it's the smelly one.

[Henry17]

Olbas oil is the traditional fix for this common issue, however as it can be quite difficult to procure at this time of year don't forget the obvious but slightly less convenient option of carving divots every few inches until half way up the frame.

[intexasatthe moment]

ok ,must be related to the dubious hygiene habits of the other occupant - young male - of the room :)

[ClareC]

Why would anyone vacuum ladybirds? Unbelievably cruel and totally unnecessary. I'm shocked tbh

Just move them carefully as per above, it's probably less effort than getting the Hoover out!

[HelBel65]

ClareC Wrote:

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> Why would anyone vacuum ladybirds? Unbelievably

> cruel and totally unnecessary. I'm shocked tbh

>

> Just move them carefully as per above, it's

> probably less effort than getting the Hoover out!

Agree - have had several and didn't occur to me to do something so cruel...just lifted them back out of the window. H

[JohnL]

I'd think the small 'car' vacuums would be OK if you cleaned it first then released them outside.

if that's cruel what about this suggestion from pestcontrolsupplies.co.uk

"We can also suggest sweeping the bugs up and taking them to a local tip where they will be incinerated, ensuring that that particular group will not return to your home."

[mrure26]

I have quite a few in my flat every year. Thought they came from terrace. I gently put them outside if I can get to them, but most are on ceiling. They disappear eventually, though found two on my pillow last year.

Olbas Oil is obtainable from Holland & Barrett and most good health shops so not difficult to find at any time of the year.

[El Pibe]

You can't kill Gaston!!

unless it's the aformentioned invader

btw, the article suggests fixing a stocking o yoiur nozzle with a rubber band, then hoovering them up into that rather than the hoover itself, as a humane way of removing them

[tallulah71]

Gosh - a ladybird. Imagine if one of the terrified lady(bird) killers were to come across a False Widow...

However, I did notice loads on the pillars of the entrance to Nunhead Cemetery the other day. thought it might be the berries, but not seen anything like it! Not sure hoovering them up is the best plan though.