I have a ton of “ladybugs” in my home. They’re not just on the ceiling — they’re crawling along wall edges, getting past window frames and flying around erratically.
Some get stuck in my hair or fall onto my shoulder while I’m minding my own business. They’re annoying and impossible to ignore. The only redeeming thing about them is that they remind me of my dog, Lady, who I used to call Ladybug. She passed away in May.
My home faces southeast, which means it catches the morning and midday sun, warming walls and windows just enough to attract these creatures.
These are multicolored Asian lady beetles, an invasive species in the same family as Maine’s native ladybugs. Unlike the natives, which stay outdoors, these beetles often move indoors in the fall to overwinter.
They appear in many color variations, but in Maine the most common is the red or orange Succinea form, which can have anywhere from zero to 19 spots. Drawn to light-colored walls and sun-warmed windows, they often cluster in corners, along ceilings and near attics once inside.
The good news is they’re mostly harmless. They don’t chew on furniture, spread disease or reproduce indoors. The downside is that crushing them releases a strong odor and yellow stain, and they can bite, although I haven’t experienced this myself.
Aside from the obvious need to block entry points, natural repellents can help prevent beetles from entering your home. They dislike the scents of essential oils like citronella, peppermint and citrus — a few drops mixed with water in a spray bottle and applied to windowsills or door frames can be effective. You can also put a few drops on a cotton ball and place it between the window and screen.
Other strong scents from bay leaves, cloves or chrysanthemums can repel these nuisances. Since mums are already a common fall decoration, placing them inside and outside can discourage insect activity.
If they are already inside, avoid sprays because most insecticides — including pyrethrin-based ones — can irritate pets and humans. For a no-nonsense removal method, a vinegar-and-water solution works well. It kills the beetles and removes pheromones that attract others. Adding a few drops of dish soap helps the solution adhere to surfaces.
Because these insects are attracted to light, reducing outdoor lighting and using light traps indoors can help limit their activity.
Asian lady beetles may be a pest inside your home, but outdoors, they play an important role in Maine’s gardens and forests, feeding on aphids. With a few preventive measures, you can keep these seasonal visitors where they belong — out in nature and not crawling across your ceilings.