Ladybugs are great garden insects that can control ticks. However, these creatures are no longer adorable and are actually annoying when they start attacking plants and homes. Remove swarms of ladybugs from your home using a vacuum cleaner, vinegar trap, or an indoor insecticidal product. You can also prevent ladybugs from entering your home by using lemongrass and citrus scents, or by preparing your home as you would for winter. Get rid of ladybugs in the garden using diatomaceous earth or by planting chrysanthemums.
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Method 1 of 3: Getting Rid of Ladybugs Inside the House
Step 1. Suck up the ladybugs using a vacuum cleaner if you only see a few tails
You don't need any more powerful equipment than a vacuum cleaner to get rid of just a few ladybugs! Simply suck up every ladybug in sight and dump the contents of the vacuum cleaner tube into a sealed plastic bag. Place the bag in the trash so the ladybugs can't return home.
Step 2. Spray vinegar on areas frequented by ladybugs to remove any traces of pheromone
Pour white vinegar into an empty spray bottle. Take a look at the rooms in your house and spray vinegar on any surface the ladybugs infest or flock to. Vinegar can kill the ladybugs that are sprayed and also remove the pheromones released by the insects.
Ladybugs secrete pheromones that attract other ladybugs. By removing these pheromones, you can reduce the number of ladybugs that are attracted to your home
Step 3. Prepare a bowl of a mixture of water and dish soap to trap the ladybugs
Fill a small bowl with water and add a few drops of dish soap. Place the bowl in a sunny area, such as next to a window or under a lamp. Ladybugs will land on water because they are attracted to the reflected light.
Dishwashing soap takes the strain off the water so the ladybugs can't fly or escape
Step 4. Make a light trap to get rid of ladybugs in a dark room or area
If swarms of ladybugs start to bother or invade dark areas such as the inside of a closet or attic, trap lights can be a great repellent! Purchase insect trap lights from a garden supply store and place them in the target area. Once enough ladybugs are trapped, take the trap device outside the house and release the ladybugs inside.
- Ladybugs are attracted to light. It will fly towards the light source, but instead falls into the collecting container. The ladybug can't get out of the trap until you release it.
- A trap light can be a great device option to keep ladybugs out of your home without injuring them.
Step 5. Use an aerosol insecticide to quickly kill sizable swarms of ladybugs in your home
Purchase an aerosol insecticide product from a supermarket or home supply store. Read the description and directions for use on the packaging label carefully before using the product. Point the nozzle at the ladybugs and press the spray button. Insecticides will immediately kill the ladybugs that are exposed to the poison particles.
- Make sure the product is formulated to kill ladybugs and is safe to use indoors before you buy it.
- Always follow all safety instructions on the label (eg wear gloves and do not breathe fumes or fumes from the product).
- Use a vacuum cleaner to suck up dead ladybugs.
Step 6. Hire a professional pest control service if a bug or bug infestation is too difficult to handle
Although it's rare, it's a good idea to contact a professional pest control if the ladybug infestation is very severe to save time and prevent an increase in the number of ladybugs. If you can't get rid of all the ladybugs yourself or the swarms are coming back, despite all the precautions you've taken, contact your local pest control service for professional help.
Method 2 of 3: Preventing Ladybugs from Entering the House
Step 1. Use lemongrass scented candles and citron oil to repel ladybugs
Ladybugs don't like the smell of lemongrass or citron. Light citronella or lemongrass scented candles around the entrance to the house if you want to keep the door open. You can also add a few drops of citron oil to a spray bottle filled with water and spray the mixture on your doors every day.
Some types of scents that are suitable for use are the scent of lemon, lime, orange, and mandarin orange
Step 2. Place a bag of cloves or bay leaves around the door
Focus treatment on the door to the garden or areas that have a lot of plants because usually flocks of ladybugs roam or live in these places. Take a small plastic bag and fill it with cloves, bay leaf, or a combination of both. Leave a plastic bag on the ground to repel any approaching ladybugs.
Ladybugs do not like the smell of cloves and bay leaves
Step 3. Glue the leak proof tape along the gap of the door to reduce the opening
Ladybugs usually enter the house in winter or cold weather to hibernate until spring. Purchase a roll of leak proof tape and cut it to the size of a door or window gap. Remove the back guard and stick the adhesive side to the inside of the gap.
- Leak-proof tape can also prevent water and cold air from entering the house.
- If ladybugs are still found in your home after you've applied the leak-proof coating, it's a good idea to replace it as the coating will wear out over time.
Step 4. Install window screens to prevent insects from entering the house
Calculate the window size and purchase ready-made window screens from a home improvement store. Install each screen from inside the house and slide it into the windowsill, starting at the top. Make sure the pressure clip is in the lock position to hold the screen in place.
Alternatively, you can use the services of an expert to measure and make window screens
Step 5. Use putty to seal small openings in the exterior walls of the house
Sometimes ladybugs enter the house through small openings that are hard to find in the walls. Look for cracks or small holes in water pipes, foundations, window or door frames, and exterior walls. Install the putty tube into the application gun and insert the putty into any openings or cracks. Close all openings thoroughly to prevent ladybugs and other insects from entering the house.
Method 3 of 3: Getting Rid of Ladybugs in the Yard or Garden
Step 1. Sprinkle diatomaceous earth around your yard or garden
Diatomaceous earth can effectively kill ladybugs before they enter the garden. Put on protective goggles and a face mask, then spread diatomaceous earth around the garden plot. You can also sprinkle diatomaceous earth around the house to prevent ladybugs from getting in.
- Diatomaceous earth is safe for pets and children. However, this substance can kill other beneficial insects such as honey bees.
- Protective goggles and a face mask prevent the powder from being inhaled when you sprinkle it. Once the powder has settled and absorbed into the soil, you can remove the protective gear.
Step 2. Plant chrysanthemums around the yard or garden to repel ladybugs
You can keep ladybugs away from your plants and home by gardening! Plant lots of chrysanthemums in the garden as these plants repel ladybugs. In addition, chrysanthemum also serves to protect the surrounding plants and prevent the entry of ladybugs into the house through the door or window that is around the flower. You can plant chrysanthemums directly in the ground or use potting media. Don't forget to water it regularly to keep the plant growing well.
Step 3. Use an outdoor insecticide if the bug is difficult to control
If ladybugs in your garden are difficult to manage, using an outdoor insecticide can be an effective solution. Look for outdoor insecticide products at garden supply stores and follow the directions for use carefully. Check the label before buying or using it to make sure the product is safe for some types of plants, pets, and children.
- Outdoor insecticide products are usually sold as ash, powder, or spray.
- Always wear gloves, a face mask and protective goggles when using insecticides.
