How to Get Rid of Ladybugs (and Look-Alike Harlequin Ladybirds) in Your Home

A welcome visitor in the garden, ladybugs are considered one of the many beneficial insects for your yard. But that doesn’t mean you want them taking up residence inside your house. 

If you’ve spotted more than one ladybug or its doppelganger, the harlequin ladybird, crawling around your home, find out how to get rid of these pests before they multiply. 

Why Do I Have Ladybugs in My Home?

A member of the Coccinellidae family, ladybugs are not technically bugs, nor are they all “ladies.” The term ladybug is used to refer to both male and female members of this insect family. 

Ladybugs are a gardener’s friend: They feed on aphids, mealybugs, and small insects called scale and help reduce the use of insecticides by controlling plant-destroying pests. Some gardeners even choose plants that attract beneficial insects like ladybugs on purpose, like sunflowers and marigolds. 

According to the University of Kentucky Extension, just one ladybug can eat more than 5,000 aphids or scale in its lifetime. Ladybugs live outdoors, so if you see one or two in your house, it’s no cause for alarm. Simply take them outdoors and set them free. 

Ladybugs may enter your home throughout the late spring and summer via windows, doors, and flowers or vegetables harvested from your own garden. Luckily, these beneficial little bugs are harmless. 

However, if you see more than just one or two ladybugs in your home in the fall or early winter, chances are it’s actually the harlequin ladybird (Harmonia axyridis).

How to Identify Ladybugs vs. Harlequin Ladybirds 

It’s unlikely you have a ladybug infestation in your home. So if you see these bugs in large numbers, it could be a ladybug look-alike instead—the harlequin ladybird (aka Asian lady beetle).

First introduced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a biological control agent, the harlequin ladybird feeds on scale and aphids like ladybugs do. While harlequin ladybirds are beneficial in this manner, they can also crowd out native species by demolishing the food supply for native ladybugs. 

It can be tough to tell ladybugs and the harlequin ladybird apart because they look similar—but there are some key differences. Here’s a look at the main identifying characteristics of ladybugs versus the Asian lady beetle so you know which one is in your home.   

Ladybug Characteristics

• Bright-red ladybugs with black spots are most common, but there are several different species with yellow and orange-red coloring.

• They’re a beneficial insect to have in your garden.

• Ladybugs don’t seek shelter indoors. 

• No “M” shape on the plate above the wings like the harlequin ladybird has.

• 0.31 inch in size with a more rounded shape than their harlequin cousins.

• Ladybugs lay eggs on leaves during the spring and live outside during the winter.

• They’re capable of biting but rarely do. 

• Ladybugs do not emit a sticky or smelly substance when startled or handled.

Harlequin Ladybird Characteristics

• Commonly orange or red with black spots, but can be yellow or black with red spots. 

• Harlequin ladybirds have a black M” shape on the white plate above their wings. 

• Slightly larger than native ladybugs: up to 0.33 inches with a longer body and a more pointed head.

• They seek shelter indoors during the winter to lay their eggs.

• When startled or handled, ladybirds emit a smelly yellowish substance that can trigger allergic reactions, according to the College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment.

• The yellow substance can stain clothing, carpet, and other fabrics.

• These insects may bite humans if provoked, leaving a stinging bump. 

• Harlequin ladybirds pose a threat to dogs if eaten and can cause gastrointestinal distress, vomiting, and drowsiness, according to the American Kennel Club.

How to Get Rid of Ladybugs and Harlequin Ladybirds

Because they seek a warm, dark place to lay their eggs, if you see the Asian lady beetle in your home in the cooler months, act fast. Even just a few can quickly lead to an infestation, as they leave behind pheromones to attract other Asian lady beetles. 

Though they won’t destroy the structure of your home like other house pests, such as termites, it’s not particularly pleasant to have hundreds of tiny beetles crawling up your wall. If you have an active infestation, call a local exterminator to help.

The following tips will help you get rid of ladybugs and Asian lady beetles, but remember that the two are not the same. Ladybugs most likely won’t infest your home and can be brought back out to the garden to continue eating annoying bugs for you.  

The Asian lady beetle likes to hibernate during the winter in a warm, dark spot, which could end up being your home. If you have large numbers of these pests, you will want to take measures to get rid of them since they can bite, cause allergies, and will multiply quickly. 

Vacuum Thoroughly 

If you find an Asian lady beetle population in your home, get out the vacuum. Avoid sweeping because the bugs secrete a yellow substance when threatened that can stain carpets, furniture, and clothing. Empty the canister right away and dispose of the contents in an outdoor trash can.

Sprinkle Diatomaceous Earth 

If you know where the colony is living, use food-grade diatomaceous earth to get rid of the Asian lady beetle. Although safer to use around pets and kids, always use gloves and a mask when applying diatomaceous earth. Follow the manufacturer’s safety recommendations. Sprinkle the white powder along the edges of baseboards and entry points for the colony. 

If it ends up being ladybugs instead, get rid of the unintentional squatters by taking them back outside to your garden. 

Make a Light Trap

If you have harlequin ladybirds living in a dark area such as an attic, use a light trap to get rid of them. Purchase one at a hardware store or try one of these simple methods for making your own. 

DIY Soda Bottle Light Trap

1. Cut a 1-liter soda bottle in half.

2. Add black electrical tape to the bottom half of the bottle.

3. Add a small LED light to the inside bottom of the bottle.

4. Flip the top half of the bottle over so that it is like a funnel, and place it inside the bottom half.

5. Tape if it doesn’t feel secure.

6. Leave it in a dark place. The bugs will be attracted to the light and fly inside. You can release them outside the next day, as long as you are sure they won’t crawl right back inside. 

DIY Tray Trap

1. Place an aluminum tray (like a disposable cake or lasagna pan) on the counter or in the room where the most harlequin ladybirds are present.

2. Fill the pan with water, about halfway.

3. Add several drops of dish detergent and mix it into the water with your hand.

4. Set up a lamp above the tray so the light shines down into the water.

5. The bugs will be attracted to the light and then drown in the water. 

Use Essential Oils

Use essential oils that repel pests to remove Asian lady beetle pheromones. This will help prevent more from coming to your house. Add a few drops of lavender, citrus, or citronella oils to a cleaning rag and wipe down any surfaces where you’ve spotted the beetles. 

Ladybugs, on the other hand, don’t like menthol, citrus, or clove scents. Adding these fragrances to your home can get rid of ladybugs and have them hightailing it back to your garden.

How to Prevent Ladybugs and Harlequin Ladybirds in Your Home

The best way to get rid of ladybugs and Asian lady beetles in your home is to prevent them from entering in the first place. Seal off your home in the spring or early summer to ensure it stays pest-free all year long. 

Here’s how to prevent ladybug and Asian lady beetle infestations: 

• Seal holes and cracks with caulking.

• Repair or replace window screens and door screens.

• Add weatherstripping to doors and windows.

• Plant pest-repelling plants like mums near the entryway to your home and in window boxes.

• Add cloves and bay leaves to pots near your doors and windows. 

• Vacuum on a regular basis. 

DIY vs. Hire a Pro

Treating an Asian lady beetle infestation is a fairly simple and inexpensive DIY. Since they don’t harbor diseases or cause major structural damage, it’s worth trying home remedies before calling in the pros. 

That being said, if you are allergic to Asian lady beetles or ladybugs, or if your infestation is out of control, hire a pest control company to get rid of the harlequin ladybirds instead. 

The cost of pest control services can vary greatly depending on the area you live and how large your home is. The average cost is between $200 to $600.

Frequently Asked Questions

What smells do ladybugs hate? 

Both ladybugs and harlequin ladybirds dislike scents such as cloves, bay leaves, mums, peppermint, camphor, catnip, citronella, lavender, or citrus scents. Using them may deter some of the bugs from entering. Place these plants near the entryway to your home or apply essential oils to doors or window sills. 

Do ladybugs or harlequin ladybirds lay eggs in houses?

Only harlequin ladybirds will lay their eggs inside your home. They do this during the winter and can lay thousands of eggs during this time. 

How long do ladybugs and harlequin ladybirds live indoors?

The average lifespan of a ladybug is one to two years. However, harlequin ladybirds can live longer. According to Iowa State University, some can live as long as three years, although most harlequin ladybirds live an average of 30 to 90 days.  

Can ladybugs or harlequin ladybirds bite you? 

Because ladybugs have chewing mandibles for eating their prey, in theory, they could bite you. However, most ladybugs do not. Likewise, harlequin ladybirds can bite. While most people do not have a strong reaction, it is possible to have an allergic reaction to the bites from either ladybugs or harlequin ladybirds.