Ladybird infestation

[robsquires]

Hi Forum, I think have ladybird infestation in my house, there seems to be a new ladybird every day. I am busy catching them and releasing them back into the wild.
But what I would like to do is stop them being in the house altogether.
Does anyone know of a humane way to do this ? Is there a product available ?

Thanks in advance for any answers.
Rob

[Dan Salter]

I bet you £100 they are the non native harlequins. (Harlequin Ladybirds)

I too have a house full of them yearly...

Once established they are the non native "pest" harlequin which is spreading fast and eats our own native ladybirds they need to be recorded/reported on the Harlequin Survey....captured specimens can be sent to them or dispatched.

heres a couple of links

Harlequin Ladybird Survey - home

Harlequin Ladybird Survey - Recognition and Distinction

the second link gives you a good ID chart and also compares to our natuves...PLEASE DONT KILL anything unless your sure its not one of our natives, although positive id is pretty easy ( and they are usually much larger)

Have a google of Harlequin Ladybirds and you will find several news reports of their rapid spread accross the UK and some footage of peoples houses infested with them.

Of course this is my guess....they could of course be our lovely native ladybirds...can you get a photo of one perhaps?

Dan

[Pudding4brains]

Originally Posted by robsquires

But what I would like to do is stop them being in the house altogether.

They probably already were in your house since last fall and hibernated in your hospitality. Now just waking up and trying to find their way out ... just help them with that and next fall keep your windows closed when they're swarming

About the "pest" issue: They're here to stay. There is no point in killing them, you'll just make a smelly mess. Also, remember the animals can't help it - they're just doing their thing (and they're good at it). If you want to get upset please get upset with the braindead humans who released them in Europe for financial profit.

It is not yet proven beyond a doubt that they will cause native species to disappear (although personally I would not be surprised at all ), but in a way that's also "nature" - eventually a new balance will be found. Species disappear in our neighbourhoods every year, even without our "help", simply because they're 'replaced' with (apparently) stronger or better adapted species from elsewhere. Somehow it's a real shame to see species disappear (even if only being driven away to other regions) but it would also happen if we weren't around - just maybe not quite so fast/often.

Cheers,
Arp