Lady Bug Infestation

Patti
by Patti
Okay, I have another question for you Gardening experts! I have noticed an infestation of lady bugs in my yard this year! Especially in my Honeysuckle vines and this morning, ALL Over my garden hose!!! They're THICK!! Any harm with these "cute" little bugs?? If so, how to control their population??
  8 answers
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on Aug 24, 2013
    True ladybugs generally only stick around while there is something to eat, like aphids. They move on looking for the next meal. The only kind I know of that really swarm are the impostor Asian lady beetle, but that usually doesn't happen until later in the season when they are looking for a place to roost for the winter. So I'd be more concerned about why they are there than the fact that they are there.
  • Patti Patti on Aug 24, 2013
    Doug, I just love you! You're always so quick to answer! I know I can always count on you to give good advice, as well! We have had an unusually wet (and cooler) season this year, so I'm thinking that may be the attraction? The past 3-4 previous years have been very dry. And not knowing the correct term, I referred to them as lady bugs, but you're right, they are Japanese "something or other". They're the orange bugs though, not the green ones, some people refer to as potato bugs. Could it be the ground is too wet and they're looking for a drier area to "roost"? The plants don't seem to be effected by them, that I've noticed, yet anyway!
  • Patti Patti on Aug 24, 2013
    So, that leaves the questions of, are they any harm?, and how to control the population?
    • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on Aug 24, 2013
      @Patti I don't think they're going to harm your plants. But if you want to get rid of them, vacuum them up then put the bag in the freezer.
  • Peg Peg on Aug 24, 2013
    Patti, my guess is that you will have indoor visitors this winter as the asian lady beetle loves to cozy up inside. They are a pest here and make an indoor mess.
  • As soon as you said they were on your honeysuckle I know you had aphids. Honeysuckle bushes here are terrible for them, good news is the ladybugs have come to your rescue.
  • Kathi Kathi on Aug 24, 2013
    Are they spotted ladybugs, or solid bronze orangish color? If they're spotted, I'd think they are helpful to the plants in getting rid of pests, (ladybugs). As soon as the seasonal weather changes again, they'll probably start lessening up.
  • Sugarbunny49 Sugarbunny49 on Aug 30, 2013
    Farmers love ladybugs....they keep down the population of aphids, I think. I've even seen ads looking to BUY ladybugs, and other ads (in different publication) telling how to start raising them for sale. I enjoy ladybugs but haven't seen any this year, probably due to weather. Please don't kill them.....
  • Cheri Dittler Cheri Dittler on Jan 29, 2014
    they are NOT harmful..good for your plants. you can order them..YOU are lucky!