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I live in Southern R.I. and moved into a new home in October. We had some sunny warm days in October & as a result, had ladybugs swarming all over the back side of the house (the sunny side). Somehow they got into the rooms on the 2nd floor of the house, which were unfinished & closed off at the time. Now the 2nd floor is finished, but I still can’t get rid of all the bugs. They keep laying eggs I guess. It’s not a major problem, but how did they get in, and how do I prevent this from happening again? Any ideas? Could the bugs get through the vent that runs from the bathroom fan to the outside? Thanks!
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There is usually a little aluminum or plastic damper in the exhaust fan unit. You could add a second damper at the outlet to outdoors if you use a dryer vent termination kit where it goes through the wall. (if this applies)
Also check windows for cracks, holes near plumbing and electrical.
You could get some praying mantis egg cases and have one beneficial insect eat up the other beneficial insect...
*This is a problem in our area too. They leave in springtime, so don't worry. Of course we get ants in the spring so maybe if you don't get ants the ladybugs will stick around.They don't appear to be poisonous, our 19 month old has eaten a few when we weren't looking. Cats eat 'em too. Maybe it's an ecosystem.-Rob
*Ladybugs are beneficial, but it sounds like you're getting a little too much benefit. With patience, you can find the hole and get an energy savings on the side. For the vent, is a large-mesh insect screen at the discharge acceptable? This isn't a dryer situation, where a screen could lead to a lint fire. Someone here should know.Praying mantises actually won't eat ladybugs (aka lady beetles, lady-bird beetles). You may enjoy the following link's info about beneficial insects. Apparently your problem is not unusual ("Lady beetles frequently become an overwinter nuisance in buildings.").Regarding bugsView ImageView ImageView ImageView ImageView Image
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I also have a lot of lady bugs bugging us, last fall when I was washing windows (andersons) I found lady bugs by the thousands all around the windows. I think they can get in pretty much any where. Our defense vacum them up.
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Lady bugs,crickets,box-elder bugs,ants,flys,mosquitos;seems every year it's something different.I honestly think there is no way to seal up every possible crook & cranny.These little critters are getting in under doors,through windows,under siding,under the eaves & soffit.My suggestion ? Vacuum 'em up,smash 'em,flick 'em with your finger(this is actually kinda fun),collect 'em in a jar,or live with 'em.Actually, I'll take the lady bugs over crickets or box elder bugs anytime.
*Kara,I know loads of folks in South County and all over RI for that matter who are inundated with lady bugs. They aren't 'true' ladybugs but called something else that I can't recall and look similar.If you think they're bad wait until those first few warm sunny days in March and April. Their numbers will probably increase. Just like you noticed in October.There are enough holes in most new homes to equal an average size window left wide open. In the fall the ladybugs look for somewhere to winter over. I've found them hanging out in soffits and in the gaps of siding and trim. They're good at finding the small holes into your interior and liven up when they feel the warmth.Your visitors may become annual and not just the ones lingering from the construction phase of the home.Have you tried handling them at all? If you do your hands will smell kind of like dirt and it's hard to wash off.My old house was infested with thousands and I'd spend 15 min. each morning and eve vaccuming them up.I don't think there's any easy solution to avoid them. Perhaps you could borrow a good foam gun and seal up a lot of the avenues they may use to re-enter your home. Do you have good windows? Some off-market brands will have more and larger gaps than others. You'd be stuck in that case.Mike
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You could do a web-search for companies specializing in biological controls, and find a source for the ladybug pheromone (chemical attractant). I've seen it in catalogs of companies that supply beneficial insects to organic gardeners. This could be applied at a far end of the property to draw them away from the house.
BTW, does anyone know how to deal with a stubborn invasion of "sow-bugs" (those little critters that look like armadillos in miniature...)?
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Ever had one bite you? Believe me, you'll know it, but won't know who to blame!!
*Kara, try: http://www.gardenweb.com/forum/pestsand see the many threads on ladybugs.
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I live in Southern R.I. and moved into a new home in October. We had some sunny warm days in October & as a result, had ladybugs swarming all over the back side of the house (the sunny side). Somehow they got into the rooms on the 2nd floor of the house, which were unfinished & closed off at the time. Now the 2nd floor is finished, but I still can't get rid of all the bugs. They keep laying eggs I guess. It's not a major problem, but how did they get in, and how do I prevent this from happening again? Any ideas? Could the bugs get through the vent that runs from the bathroom fan to the outside? Thanks!