Why Are There So Many Ladybugs In My House? What You Need To Know!

Ladybugs have a lot of positive connotations attached to them despite being small flying beetles. One ladybug is cute. Two are sweet. Three might even be lucky. But 10, 20, or 100 ladybugs are a problem. People who come home to find dozens of ladybugs in their homes will usually become alarmed. Why are there so many ladybugs in my house? Do I have an infestation? Are ladybugs harmful? This is actually a very common problem, and these questions are equally common.

If you find tons of ladybugs in your house, you are not alone. Here are the main reasons that ladybugs like to move in and some ways to mitigate the problem.

Is It Cold Outside?

One of the factors that drive ladybugs inside is the weather. When the seasons turn cold in fall and winter, ladybugs group up and try to find a warm, dry place to wait out the coldest months. Many times, warm, dry areas end up being dwellings inhabited by humans. Ladybugs can’t build their own homes, but they are more than happy to use yours if it means helping them survive the winter.

When the weather turns cold, beetles start seeking out these types of environments to live in. Ladybugs can enter a home through tiny cracks, gaps, or spaces in doors and windows. Blocking up these gaps can help prevent bugs from entering your home. This is also called “winter-proofing” as it also prevents the cold air from getting in during the winter.

Are The Ladybugs Swarming?

Ladybugs swarm in large groups. These swarms can happen during mating season, during migration, or if something attracts the ladybugs. These swarms often find their way inside people’s homes. They are alarming to see, but they are relatively harmless other than being a nuisance. Ladybug swarms happen throughout the year, but if a swarm decides it wants to move into your house, it can be hard to stop. Hundreds, or even thousands, of ladybugs, will follow one another to the shared destination.

These swarms can become a big headache if they decide to target you. Unfortunately, there is nothing that can be done to prevent ladybug swarms. Swarming is a natural behavior for these beetles.

Are They Attracted To a Nice Smell In Your Home?

Ladybugs are extremely sensitive to smell. They use scent more than any other sense, and something that smells good to ladybugs can attract them in large numbers. Once a ladybug smells something yummy, they will tell their friends, causing a large number of the beetles to start trickling in. Sometimes, a good smell can even cause a ladybug swarm.

It might not be apparent what is attracting the ladybugs, but there are many known scents that ladybugs hate like citrus, peppermint, and lavender, to name a few. If they are attracted to smell, they can also be repelled by smell, and that is a good thing.

Are Ladybugs Harmful?

If you have a large number of ladybugs in your house, it will probably be alarming at first. Can they damage your home? Do they bite? Are ladybugs harmful? These questions will likely run through your head at a rapid pace. The good news is that ladybugs are not harmful. In fact, they are largely harmless.

Ladybugs have sharp legs that can sometimes feel prickly when they crawl around on you, but they do not bite. The biggest problem with ladybugs is that they can be stinky. Ladybugs secrete a foul-smelling liquid in some situations that can leave a bitter odor that many people find pungent.

Ladybugs will not damage a home, but they can be quite annoying in large numbers.

What Is The Best Way To Get Rid of Ladybugs?

There are a variety of methods to easily dispose of ladybugs. They are easily trapped. Simple light traps or soap traps are usually enough to capture large numbers of home invaders.

Ladybugs can be vacuumed up. They can be trapped with sticky duct tape. Natural smells can be diffused in the house to repel them. There are things that any homeowner can do on a budget that will both dispose of and prevent future ladybug infestations.

Doors and windows need to be sealed up better. A garden with ladybug repellent plants can be planted near windows to keep them away.

When it comes to infestations, ladybugs are one of the easiest types to deal with. And they are also one of the cheapest bugs to dislodge from your home as well. Many of the methods used to remove ladybugs are cheap or even free and can be done without the help of a professional.

Conclusion

Swarms of ladybugs can be alarming, but they are usually harmless. The bugs like to come inside for the same reasons we do. It is cozy and warm. Ladybugs can be attracted by choice smells or can simply be following a swarm that is moving through the area. Whatever the case may be, having a bunch of bugs inside is never a good thing. Luckily, getting rid of ladybugs is very simple, and the presence of the beetles will not cause any lasting damage to your home.

See also:

• 12 Incredible Ladybug Facts You Need to Know!
• 7 DIY Bee House Plans You Can Make Today (with Pictures)

Featured Image Credit: Myriams-Fotos, Pixabay