Ohio’s fall invaders are no ladies, despite the name

Ohio’s seemingly long-lived Fall Color season may now be in the history books, but another fall regular – the Asian lady beetle – is still finding its way into our homes.

The tiny beetles are welcome outdoor guests in the spring and summer months when they consume vast quantities of garden pests. But as temperatures cool, they fall into the category of “good bugs gone bad,” as they search for shelter inside houses throughout the Buckeye State.

Asian lady beetles – ranging in color from yellow to dark orange and sporting an average of 16 irregularly shaped spots on their domed backs – should not be confused with Ohio’s state insect, the convergent ladybug (actually a beetle, as well). Native to Ohio, our state insect is more polite and over-winters outside under logs, leaves and bark.

Like Houdini, Asian lady beetles seem to appear out of nowhere. Often congregating on ceilings, windows and around light fixtures, the lady beetle enters through small gaps or cracks in siding or masonry and through attic or foundation vents. They crawl in under defective weather stripping and, on warm days, take the easy route through open doors and windows.

The good news, according to entomologists, is that despite being annoying, Asian lady beetles are harmless. They don’t cause structural damage, as do termites or carpenter ants, they don’t destroy fabrics, and they don’t reproduce inside the house. In fact, in most cases, those that do make it indoors won’t live to see another spring.

This does not mean you want the pesky pumpkin-colored home invaders in your house. Try sweeping them up in a dustpan and depositing them back outside, preferably near protected areas, such as rocks or a log. Use care, however, when removing these unwanted guests from furniture and draperies. When squashed, the lady beetle emits a greenish-orange fluid that can stain fabric and walls.

Not feeling so charitable? You can vacuum up the offenders, but make sure you empty the bag immediately. As the beetles die and decay, they can leave behind a permanent, unpleasant odor in the vacuum.

Slightly larger than their Ohio cousins, Asian lady beetles were imported to the United States to combat insect pests in trees. Today, the lady beetles have added a variety of agricultural pests to their diets, such as the soybean aphid – making them a true friend to farmers. In its lifetime, one lady beetle will eat thousands of aphids and other plant-damaging insects, thus promoting healthy plant growth and reducing the use of pesticides.

Love them or hate them, the Asian lady beetle certainly knows how to attract attention. Perhaps the best solution is peaceful coexistence: If you promise not to squash them, they’ll do you a favor and devour the tasty aphids threatening your houseplants!