How to Get Rid of Ladybugs
DIY light traps, natural repellants, and vacuuming are just a few ways you can get rid of ladybugs.
Written by Talullah Blanco
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
Table of Contents
- Why do ladybugs come into my home?
- Where to find ladybugs
- How to get rid of ladybugs
- Is pest removal covered by home insurance?
- How to save money on home insurance
- FAQs
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Too many ladybugs inside your home may be a sign of an infestation. You can rid ladybugs from your home by using DIY light traps, natural repellants, and even vacuuming.
Ladybug sightings are almost always considered a sign of good luck, especially if you’ve spotted them in your garden (hello natural aphid predators!). However, finding a ladybug inside of your home is anything but lucky. In fact, if you don’t act fast, these cute pests will multiply and lead to an unruly infestation.
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Why do ladybugs come into my home?
Ladybugs, also known as lady beetles, are “overwintering insects” that gather together in masses and seek shelter in your home during the fall to procreate and hibernate throughout the winter. They’ll enter your home through cracks or gaps in your window frames, door frames, and pipes.
If you’ve found a few ladybugs inside your home, thousands more are close behind. Once ladybugs have found a warm winter safehouse they’ll emit a pheromone that attracts more to the site.
Where to find ladybugs
Ladybugs can hide in many locations throughout your home but they tend to congregate around light sources, warm and dark areas. Here’s where you should look for ladybug colonies in your house:
- Wall voids
- Crawl spaces
- Behind floorboards
- Attics
- Closets
- Cupboards
- Under appliances
Once you’ve located a ladybug colony you’ll need to act swiftly and remove them before they take up permanent residence.
Pro Tip Spray your window sills and seal any cracks and gaps on the outside of your home in early fall to prevent ladybugs from entering.
How to get rid of ladybugs
While ladybugs are not a serious threat to the structural integrity of your home, they can be a nuisance if a colony forms and take up residence. Relocation and removal are some of the best ways to control and get rid of ladybugs to prevent infestation. Here are some methods you can use to get rid of ladybugs in your home.
Vacuuming
One of the easiest ways to get rid of a ladybug colony is by vacuuming them up. Let’s say you’ve found a large group of ladybugs under your floorboards or in your closet. Use an empty vacuum cleaner to vacuum the ladybugs and relocate them to your garden where they can enjoy aphids galore!
DIY light trap
You’ll want to use this method if ladybugs have infested your attic or any other dark area. This ladybug-safe light trap can be made using common household items. Cut a plastic bottle in half and flip it inside itself to create a funnel then place a lightbulb inside. Ladybugs will be attracted to the light and crawl inside where you can then release them safely outside.
Natural essential oil repellant
Some essential oils, like lavender, clove, and orange, act as a natural repellent and discourage ladybugs from congregating inside your home. Just add a few drops of the essential oil of your choice into a spritzer bottle filled with water and spray across window sills and the areas where the ladybugs congregate.
If you have pets this method may not be for you as some essential oils are toxic to cats and dogs.
Chemical repellant
If DIY traps and natural repellents aren’t deterring ladybugs from entering your home, you can purchase chemical repellants online or at your local hardware store. Spray the chemical repellant, which will keep ladybugs from gathering and kill them upon contact.
Call a professional
If you have an infestation on your hands and you’ve tried all other methods, you’ll need to contact a professional pest control technician to arrange for an inspection and treatment plan. Exterminators will be able to rid your home of ladybugs and implement preventative measures.
Pro Tip Whatever method you decide to use to get rid of the ladybugs, be sure to thoroughly clean the area with soap and water to remove any pheromone trails used to attract more ladybugs.
Is pest removal covered by home insurance?
Your home insurance policy will not cover pest removal or pest-related damage. Most providers consider it the homeowner's responsibility to perform regular maintenance and take measures to prevent infestations before they occur.
If you have a ladybug infestation you’ll likely be paying out-of-pocket to have the pests removed. That’s why most homeowners resort to affordable do-it-yourself removal methods to get rid of ladybugs.
How to save money on home insurance
Identifying a ladybug infestation early on will save you thousands of dollars in pest control services. You can continue saving by shopping for home and
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FAQs
Can ladybugs cause structural damage?
Luckily, no! Ladybug colonies do not cause structural damage to your home. Crawling over your walls and light fixtures, they are more of a nuisance than anything.
How do I get rid of ladybugs in my house?
There are a number of methods you can use to get rid of ladybugs in your home from vacuuming them up and relocating them outside to using chemical repellant and traps.
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