Lady Bugs and Stink Bugs

[Slickcraft]

I just noticed that there are a few thousand lady bugs spread around the outside of our white colored house, each looking for a way in. Looking for shelter for the winter. They seem to like white houses and will use the smallest openings.

Fourteen years ago we moved in on Oct 15 and there were literately swarms of them around the house. As the doors were open much of the day, thousands got in and then settled into every little crevice. So we vacuumed lady bugs for quite a while. Fortunately they are very benign and leave in the spring.

BTW, we had a summer invasion of stink bugs in the garden. They wiped out the pole beans sucking them dry and made the tomatoes uneatable. Also damaged the silver queen corn so bad that we did not eat any.
http://www.unionleader.com/article/20121008/NEWS01/710089931
They will be looking for winter lodging as well.

[radioman]

Lady Bugs like red houses as well! Actually, they seek the sunny side of the house. Like you have had to live with this issue for the past 12 yrs. Thank god for the vac!

[Lucy Goose]

Lady Bugs like red houses as well! Actually, they seek the sunny side of the house. Like you have had to live with this issue for the past 12 yrs. Thank god for the vac!

Be careful on using your vacuum. They have a horrible odor. They are different from our original lady bug. They are actually asian beetles which look very much like our lady bugs. They were brought into this country by someone to get rid of something else and now they are a menace. Leave it to humans to think they can fix everything.

Anyways, a few years ago my other home in southern NH was covered with them. We made the mistake of leaving the A/C in the window and they got in the house. Thousands of them. So I had no choice but to vacuum them up. They ruined my vacuum. Every time I used it after that it smelled like them and the smell was awful. So I had to throw the vacuum out. Now I use just a small handheld one that I can take apart and wash after. They are an unbelievable nuisance. We spray outside all over the sunny sides of the house when it's going to be an indian summer kind of day. Kills them all but a few still get in. Drives me NUTS!!!!!

LG

[cotopaxi]

If vacuuming them up is no longer a valid option, then maybe using a bug light trap would be the next best thing. I'm pretty sure any brand will suit your needs as long as it's indoor approved.