Re: Ladybug Invasion!

>>A co-worker has experienced a ladybug invasion in the fall for the past two
years.  Ladybugs have congregated on his sunny window sills inches 
deep...[snip]
...He knows that these are beneficial insects and is loathe to kill them;
however, he is upset that the only time of year that they seem to like his
house is in late fall after his garden is finished for the year.  None in
the spring and summer months.  He is looking for a more humane way to
discourage their swarming around his house, or at the very least, a better
way to send them to a better place.  Val in KY<<

There were many reports of ladybugs swarming in Missouri last fall, too.  
These were Asian ladybugs, and since Kentucky is nearby and the behavior is 
similar, I'll bet they are the same as the ones visiting your friend.  
Although they are aliens, they are more than happy to eat our American 
aphids, lice and scales, so it would be nice if your friend could keep them 
in his garden rather than destroying them.  They may turn out to be a big 
problem in the US, so I may live to regret this, but I have a suggestion.

When they are swarming, what they are doing is looking for a shelter in which 
to hibernate.  Your friend might try getting (or building) one of those 
ladybug houses they sell in catalogs and locating it in a part of the yard 
away from the house.  Hopefully, they would be drawn to that and away from 
the house.  Then they would winter over and emerge in the spring to service 
his garden.  He might want to first check with the local extension service 
and see if they think this species is best not to encourage. The jury is 
still out here, as we have only had them for one year. 
 --Janis


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