Do Ladybugs Bite and Are Ladybugs Poisonous?
You might not think ladybugs are the worst pests—until you have them. Aladybug infestationcan quickly become a serious pain. Clean windowsills? They’ll get covered in dead ladybugs. Roll up your blinds for the morning? Ladybugs come falling out. Set your drink down for a moment. Look before you drink again; it’s probably been infused with a ladybug. And make sure to brush the ladybugs out of your hair on waking up. Do ladybugs bite? If so, are ladybugs poisonous? Our pest control experts have put together a list of common questions we get about ladybugs.
The Purpose of Ladybugs
Now, ladybugs are good to have outside. They help gardens by eating pests like aphids and mites that will try to eat your best flowers. They’re generally beneficial, but when fall comes, ladybugs will head indoors in droves. They can cover walls and get inside yourlighting. Once inside, they will get into everything.
Types of Ladybugs
Not many know this, but there are thousands of types of ladybugs. They're a type of beetle, which is why they're better off outside and in your garden. The most common types of ladybugs in Massachusetts are:
- Two-spotted ladybugs, which may also be called ladybirds or lady beetles.
- Asian lady beetle, the orange or yellow ladybugs.
- Convergent ladybugs have upwards of 12 black spots.
- Seven-spotted ladybugs, which is actually Massachusetts' state insect!
Do Ladybugs Bite?
No, ladybugs do not bite. This is a common myth as Asian lady beetles bite, leaving a yellow, foul-smellingliquid on your skin. It's important to know the differences between ladybugs and Asian lady beetles for this reason.
How to Identify an Asian Lady Beetle
Typically, Asian ladybeetles are oval in shape and slightly longer in size, whereas ladybugs are more round. The biggest difference, however, is that a ladybug has a black head with small white markings, but an Asian ladybeetle has a white head with a black "M."
Are Ladybugs Poisonous?
No, ladybugs are not poisonous!They don't draw blood or carry any type of disease, either. The only time ladybugs are poisonous is if you eat them. However, if you're allergic to ladybugs, a skin welt may form. Additionally, a ladybug's fecal matter is a known allergy exasperater.
Are Ladybugs Harmful?
The truth is, ladybugs are pretty harmless—they can just become a pest out of nuisance when fall and winter hit by congregating in every vacant space in your home.Again, the only time ladybugs bite is if they are provoked and agitated.
Ladybugs in the House
When ladybugs are in the house, you don’t have to panic about them harming you or your loved ones. However, it is good to get rid of them. As we detailed above, ladybugs are not the kind of pest that will create health or safety problems, but they will get into everything and can make certain areas of your home unlivable.
How do Ladybugs Get Inside My Home?
Since they live in trees, ladybugs are especially large in number near wooded areas—homes and buildings simply offer them better options for warmth during the colder months, which is why ladybugs try to get in the house. Ladybugs will actually be more attracted to lighter-colored, sunlit homes. Homes in the shade and painted in darker colors are less likely to see an infestation, though it can still happen.
How to Treat a Ladybug Infestation
If you see one or two ladybugs, you can let them crawl on your finger and safely release them outside. But if there is an infestation, ladybugs can be controlled with minimum hassle by a pest control specialist like Ransford Pest Control. Moreover, entry points can be sought out and eliminated, making repeat infestations less likely in the future.
