getting rid of ladybugs??

[jackdis]

Hi Everyone!
I know it's common to have ladybugs. I know there's not much that can be done about it. Have been using the good old vacuum. Have sealed some of the openings near the windows.
BUT......has anyone tried any "home remedies" that helped with the problem?
I've read about citrus, clove, detergent....has anyone tried any of these and were they successful??
It's more an annoyance than anything else, but I'm sick of this little creepy crawly things. They're not cute anymore. I'm not talking thousands of them. Maybe 10-20 here and there...mostly by the windows that get the sun. A lot yesterday since it was a heat wave here (45!!) and sunny.
Thanks!!!!

 

[MBKELmom]

Yeah, I hate ladybugs here too. I am one of the few people that is actually allergic to the little suckers - we're talking sneezing, eyes swelled shut, you name it. Anyway, our local Southern States has a spray that you can spray around windowsills to help get rid of them. Can't remember the name of it, but if I do - will update this thread.

 

[kelly1218]

I've never heard of ladybugs doing that.

I guess I'm lucky. Sorry, I have no 'remedies' for you.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Ladybugs will get into your house through the smallest opening - even one you can't see. I know we get them this time of year in our hospital and we have the pesticide applicator take care of them. Then we clean up all the little carcasses.

 

[jackdis]

Thanks for the quick replies. Keep them coming.
MBKEL...that would be great if you can find out the name.
Thanks!

 

[Fly4free]

You are lucky to only have ladybugs. Here in the NE we have stinkbugs that consantly find a way indoors. Did you know ladybugs are good? (Though I see why you wouldn't like them indoors.) They eat aphids which destroy plant leaves.

 

[penn19]

I can't give you any tips to get rid of them, but I consider them good luck. When my Dad died, my Uncle told me that ladybugs were good luck, and if you saw one it was the person who had died letting you know they were ok. So now whenever I see one I like to think it's my Dad saying everything is ok. Not sure how I would feel if there were hordes of them but....

 

[Purseval]

whenever I find a ladybug in the house I carry it over to one of our houseplants and deposit it there.

 

[RachaelA]

We have ladybugs too. DH must take 10 outside each day. We will be laying in bed and I'll feel one moving in my hair its gross. I didn't want to kill them with a spray but i'd definitely consider using a home remedy if anyone knows of one.

 

[jerseygirl81]

we get lady bugs at this time of year as well, just a couple here and there by the windows. Linda

 

[Colinsmom]

Bay leaves!!

We had lots of ladybugs at our previous home, and I just tucked some dry bay leaves in the areas where we saw them, and they disappeared. Such a cheap, non-toxic option - at least try it before spraying anything around the house.

 

[Reagan&Co.]

I think it's fun when they come inside for the winter I let mine stay.

 

[Vivianne]

I think it's fun when they come inside for the winter I let mine stay.

I agree, when we deal with nature, there's a price to pay. They're considered to be pest control..i.e. aphids, scale insects..http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_bugs Sooner or later we need to know how our actions affect nature.

If I had an allergic condition, I'd try to find out how they're getting in my house and deal with blocking them from entering.

 

[formill]

We've had ladybugs in our house since we lived here....16 years. At first they were not bad but over the years worse and worse. Then one year there was a super invasion(7 years ago now)....it happened late fall after we had already had a few frosts- we were outside cleaning up the yard and had to come in....there were swarms of them....some bite. They were everywhere. It was unbelievable. Then that next spring they came out in the house full force- I bought a dust buster vaccuum for the daily job. It has not ever been as bad as that year but every fall I go out and spray the sunny sides of the house when I see them covering the siding- I just spray hot soapy water and it does kill them- sometimes add chilli powder/garlic to the water but it tends to clog the sprayer. This year I am now killing maybe 3 or 4 a day so it is not too bad. Do a google search on them and you will be amazed at some people's stories. I don't care how good they are for your plants- if you have had them like we have they are disgusting- they stink when you kill them....they leave orange goo behind....they will be on food you leave on the counter. We have had every variety out there....dark reddish, orange, some with spots some without.

 

[LisaRN97]

I have been told that you can actually have someone come in and not exterminate as they don't kill them, but someone will vaccum them out (tend to get in between the walls) and then use them in areas where they are growing plants..etc. My mind is shot at the moment but give me until tomorow to see if I can remember who will come out to take them away...

 

[jackdis]

bump.....they're back!!!!! ugghhh.....

 

[Rosiekins]

Put handful of Bay Leaves in White Viniger then bring quickly to a boil, as soon as it boils shut it off and let cool. Pour in to a spray bottle, let sit a day and then spray your window sills and areas you see them in, do this inside and out. You can even clean the windows with the spray (really you can clean the whole house with it lol). It should help. If you are really desperate you can repaint, Ladybugs are more attracted to lighter house and ligher paint, but that seems a little too much to me.

 

[tink_n_pooh]

I'm going to try the white vinegar bay leaf concomption! I've tried just about everything else I've found (including putting Vick's around doors and windows and skin so soft) and nothing works! I know lady bugs are good but I still don't want them in my house, especially not by the thousands