Lady Beetles

What do lady beetles look like?

a lady beetle on a flower outside of a home in la salle illinois

Adult lady beetles have a very distinctive appearance. They tend to be bright red, orange, or yellow with black spots or makings on their bodies. Their bodies are oval and dome-shaped. Their heads tuck either completely or partly underneath their neck lines, and they have very short antennae. Lady beetle larvae have soft bodies, are segmented, and have bristles on them. The larvae are mottled gray, black, or tan and are often described as looking like tiny, flat alligators.

Where are lady beetles found?

Lady beetles live outdoors in gardens and landscaped areas during the spring, summer, and throughout most of the fall. In the late fall, lady beetles become problematic for homeowners as they invade homes in large numbers to overwinter. Lady beetles can be found gathering on Iowa & Illinois window sills and crawling along walls as they search for a quiet place to rest during the cold winter months. They tend to end up in attics, behind wall voids, and underneath floors. When the weather warms up again in the spring, they move back outside to mate and hunt for food.

What do lady beetles eat?

Despite their docile appearance, lady beetles are predators and feed on a wide variety of small nuisance insects. Lady beetles are actually very beneficial because they help to keep populations of aphids, mealybugs, mites, scale insects, and other tiny, soft-bodied insects in check.

DIY lady beetles prevention and control tips

In order to prevent problems with lady beetles in your home, you need to find and repair any areas around your home that may allow them to gain access inside.

Place tight-fitting caps on chimneys.
Caulk gaps found around windows and doors.
Make sure that door and window screens are completely intact.
Place door sweeps on all exterior doors.
Seal cracks in the foundation of your home.
Put secure covers over all vents, and fill in spaces around utility entrances.
Place garden areas away from the outside of your home, and trim back trees and bushes from the exterior of your house.

Professional lady beetle control

For help getting rid of lady beetles and other pests that have infested your home or business, contact Quik-Kill. Serving parts of Illinois and Iowa since 1929, our pest control technicians are fully trained and licensed to eliminate your insect and rodent problems. Reach out to us today!