Ladybugs are valuable insects that provide numerous benefits to our ecosystem; however, during the winter, ladybugs like to seek shelter inside, which can turn them into pests. These fascinating, little creatures can be found all around the world, with more than 450 species in North America.

During the summer, ladybug populations flourish because of the abundance of plants and plant-eating bugs. By fall, they begin looking for shelter to get through winter. Popular winter homes for ladybugs include under rocks, inside logs or migrating indoors through cracks in homes and buildings.

Identification

Ladybugs come in a variety of colors, with shades of yellow, red and orange, but all have black spots and wings. They range in shape from round to slightly oval, have six legs and can reach up to 3/8^th of an inch in size.

Benefits

Ladybugs play an important role in the ecosystem because they’re excellent at feasting on small, plant-eating insects, such as mites. While they’re great at controlling other insects, some varieties of ladybugs, such as the squash beetle, can destroy plants and crops.

Be aware

Although most ladybugs are harmless, the Asian Lady Beetle is known to trigger asthma and cause reactions in some people. This particular species of ladybug is most often found in or near crops, but has also been found in urban areas.

Control

The best way to prevent ladybugs from entering a structure is to seal open cracks and crevices around doors, windows, screens and any other open spaces. If an infestation has developed indoors, contact a licensed, professional pest control company, such as United Pest and Turf Control to assess the problem and offer a safe, effective solution.