Ladybirds in windows

[Michelle89]

Hello

I have a problem, last year I had loads of ladybirds gathering on my window ledge and in the gaps of my window when my windows were closed. when i opened the window loads fell in each time. I stopped using that window and went onto my other window in my bedroom so everything was fine. This year I have found that my other window in my bedroom has now been attacked with ladybirds, and the window the lady birds were in last year wont open!!

Please can anyone advise as to what to do to get rid of the lady birds as i would like to open my window without a flea of ladybirds entering my room!

They are different colours, some black with red spots, some red with black spots and some orange with black spots...

HELLPPPPP

[JRsbugs]

Hi Michelle, welcome to WAB.

These are Harlequin Ladybirds, they are coming in for the winter. They did the same with me last year, went mainly to the south window and this year more are going to the west window, maybe it's because it's a little warmer this year. They will leave again in spring, I had some which overwintered on the ceiling and wall at the stairs top as well as in other window gaps. When it warms up again they will start to make their way to a window, I helped mine out at that time.

It can be a nuisance when they fall out when you open the window, I try to leave mine open just a tiny gap then make sure there's none crawled where they can get squashed on the hinged side. I have uPVC double glazing and they can get through the epdm sealing.

You could try picking them up and putting them outside elsewhere, but chances are they will return unless you go a long way away. Perhaps these are something we will have to learn to live with. If they come in by the hundreds that might be a different thing though!

Janet

[Jason Green]

Afternoon Michelle, and welcome to WAB!

Your ladybirds sound like Harlequins, but could have at least the Seven Spot and Two Spot mixed in - maybe even other species. Impossible to say without a photo - any chance of one?

Careful if you decide to move them - as a defensive move they can excrete a drop of yellow blood to deter predators which stains! If you could then move them to a shed or other outbuilding they are less likely to decide to return than if they were put in a cold flowerbed or the like as they are seeking a warm place to spend the winter as Janet said. Maybe place a fine mesh over the window's opening if you only open them ajar anyway, to stop them coming through the gap.

Take care,

Jason

[Paul mabbott]

Yes, we shouldn't make assumptions about the species involved without pictures or accurate descriptions. Harmonia axyridis certainly enters buildings, often in large numbers but this was a common occurrence with 2-spots (Adalia bipunctata) in the past. It's interesting to hear about these observations but we do seriously know which species we're talking about .....

[Jason Green]

Exactly. Um... Ten Spots come in on occasion too, don't they? I've also heard about atypical ones like S. frontalis coming in, too...

[JRsbugs]

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

Yes, we shouldn't make assumptions about the species involved without pictures or accurate descriptions. Harmonia axyridis certainly enters buildings, often in large numbers but this was a common occurrence with 2-spots (Adalia bipunctata) in the past. It's interesting to hear about these observations but we do seriously know which species we're talking about .....

All those I have coming inside are Harmonia axyridis, I haven't seen a 7-spot inside for years. All my 7-spots are huddled together in the Chrysanthemum leaves.

I did find a dead 2-spot in the gap at the bottom of the window, but it is so obviously small compared to the Harlequin it would be difficult to mix the two up.

[Michelle89]

Thank you for your help all :-)

I shall just keep the windows closed and let them do as they please until spring arrives...