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Asian Lady Beetle

Identification

Adult Asian Lady Beetles are oval, convex, and about 1/4-inch long. Color can vary widely from tan to orange to red. Multi-spotted individuals tend to be females while those with few or no spots tend to be males. Most Asian Lady beetles have a small, dark “M” or “W”-shaped marking on the whitish area behind the head.

Environment

They will enter homes through cracks and crevices around doors, windows and attic vents, sometimes in large numbers; 15,000 or more is not uncommon.

Threats

Recent studies suggest that infestations of Asian Lady Beetles can cause allergies in some individuals, ranging from eye irritation to asthma. When people try to remove them by sweeping or using a vacuum cleaner, this beetle may secrete a foul smelling, yellow staining defense compound.

Treatment

Primarily an exclusion program sealing openings into the building. Perimeter Barrier by applying insecticides to building exteriors in the fall, which helps prevent pest entry. Fast-acting residual insecticides can be sprayed in a targeted band around windows, doors, eaves, soffits, attic vents, and other likely points of entry.