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Ladybugs, also called ladybirds or lady beetles, are the most well known of all beneficial insects. Ladybugs feed on soft-bodied insects such as aphids, scale insects, and other insects that are harmful to plants. Because they feed on these pests, ladybugs are often considered the garden's best friend.

Ladybugs generally spend winters in protected hiding places such as logs, buildings, under rocks, or ground cover where many ladybugs will hibernate together. In the spring, ladybugs become active and can often be found in gardens and fields.

You can encourage ladybugs to stay in your garden by providing ladybug houses. Ladybug houses serve as safe havens during the winter months and provide a place for ladybugs to lay their eggs and go through metamorphosis. In addition to providing ladybug houses, you can attract ladybugs by planting vector flowers such as angelica or dill or by allowing weeds such as dandelions, wild carrot, or yarrow. Wheast, a combination of whey and yeast, may be sprayed on plants to attract ladybugs. Avoid use of pesticides.

Keeping Ladybugs from getting in your house!

A guide to preventing ladybugs from entering your home. Each fall, many homeowners experience the nuisance of thousands of swarming ladybugs looking for shelter in homes and out buildings. As they try to find a place where they can hibernate during the winter, ladybugs often congregate on outside windows, doors, porches, and decks and sometimes even get inside of houses!

If you have experienced the nuisance of swarming ladybugs, rest assured that these beetles do not bite, sting, or carry human diseases, nor feed on wood, clothing, or food. They also do not reproduce indoors. These beetles are harmless to humans. In facts, ladybugs, also called lady beetles, are very beneficial to agriculture and gardens. Ladybugs feed on harmful aphids and scale insects associated with trees, shrubs, bushes, flowers, and many agriculture crops. With these benefits in mind, ladybugs can still be a problem for homeowners.

If ladybugs have been entering your house, the best method you can adopt is prevention. Ladybugs enter through cracks around windows, doors, siding, pipes, and other openings. If ladybugs can enter your home, then so can cold air in the winter and warm air in the summer. You should fill in any cracks and repair any damaged window or door screens. For beetles already in your house, you may use a broom and dustpan and/or a vacuum cleaner to collect them. Then you may place the beetles under a bush or other covered area well away from your home. Remember, they will be invaluable to your garden and flowers next year. Also remember that any problems you are having with swarming ladybugs will be solved once the cold winter weather set in!