A lady does not bite, give off hideous odors, or take over your house. But the (perhaps misnamed) ladybug does--especially in New Jersey and parts of Pennsylvania.
Area residents are seeing the beginnings of a ladybug swarm, as the temperatures get colder and the colorful beasts seek warmth in people’s homes. ChemTec Pest Control officials say that the amount of calls from New Jersey residents about massive ladybug swarms and infestations has been astronomical, reports The Star-Ledger.
N.J. State Agricultural Department entomologist Mark Mayer says that the Asian beetles are attracted to light-colored homes and structures. If you happen to live in such a building, calk your windows, seal your door frames, dryer vents and pipes, and get your non-propeller vacuum cleaner ready – the not-very-ladylike beetles are coming for you.
The bugs that are predators of aphids and other small plant pests are not harmful to humans, but they will take an occasional bite to see how tasty you are.
Because their defense against insects and animals that eat them is to give off an offensive odor, crushing them will only increase the stink-factor in your house.
The beetle swarms tend to be heaviest on warm days after a period of cooler weather, which just happens to be the current conditions in the South Jersey, Philadelphia area.
The local area is not alone with the swarming problem. Missouri, Massachusetts, Illinois and Canada are reporting similar invasions.
