November 12, 2010

Uninvited Guests

Every November a number of uninvited guests descend upon our little homestead.

And no, I'm not talking about family members at the Thanksgiving table. (At least not in this post.)

I'm talking about these guys.Asian Ladybug Beetles.

Do you have a problem with these bugs, too?

I hate them!

They're hideous. They arrive in large swarms and parade themselves along warm windowsills. They're stinky. Even dried up dead ones smell bad. Some people claim that they smell like peanut butter, but they don't smell like any kind of peanut butter that I've ever sniffed. They leave a nasty orange stain if you smash one. And they bite! Yes! They bite! They always seem to get me on the back of my neck... I hate that!

However, I must admit, we've had a lot fewer indoor beetles ever since we re-insulated our house. The little buggers had been sneaking in right through the walls. Ewwww. That gives me the heebie-jeebies!

I know these bugs must be a problem for other folks, too, because I see Asian Ladybug Beetle traps at the hardware store. And a homemade trap can be made using complicated instructions involving milk jugs, twist ties, miscellaneous office supplies, a light bulb, and talcum powder. But I've never found any of these traps or contraptions to work worth a darn. Instead, I find that the best way to get rid of them is to just suck them up frequently with the hose of my vacuum.

Do you know a trick for controlling Asian Ladybug Beetle infestations? Please share!

5 comments:

Merisi said...

Who would have ever imagined that there are Ladybugs out there who are not sheer pleasure? I informed myself via Wikipedia, and am really shocked.

I hope they do not bother you any longer!

homegrown countrygirl said...

Merisi, I know!!! We like to think of ladybugs as one of the more "delightful bugs," but these ones are real, um, buggers!

I took at look at your blog sites and gosh, you take gorgeous pictures. Really lovely!

MARARIA said...

hi!, I love your blg! you take beautuful pictures !and cook delicious!
about ladybugs... do you know that they eat insects that kill your plants?These tiny predators eat aphids, mealybugs, and mites (which are garden pests). Hope there were In the village where i live in Madrid, it´s hard to find them!

Mararia

homegrown countrygirl said...

Thanks, Mararia, for your nice comments about my blog! Yes, I know the ladybugs do some good work in the garden... I just don't like when they come into my house! I took a look at your blog... your Stuffed Italian Meat Roll looks fantastic!

Smalltowngirl said...

I've had a problem with the solid black ones...everywhere! So annoying and I do the same thing drag the vac out and get rid of em!

Enjoyed reading a bit of your blog this morning...