Tri-County Pest Control Q&A: The Lady Bug

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Welcome to this week’s Tri-County Pest Control Blog: A Lady Bug Q&A. Enjoy!

How did the Lady Bug get its name? It is said that Lady Bugs (aka coccinellids) got its name after European farmers prayed to the Virgin Mary because other types of insects were destroying their crops. Legend says soon after, the Lady Bugs appeared and ate the pests, saving the farmers’ crops! And, in fact, Lady ‘Bugs’ aren’t bugs at all, they’re beetles.

How long to Lady Bugs typically survive? There are four stages to a Lady Bug’s life, the egg, larva, pupa and adult. The initial three stages can last up to three weeks. The adult stages varies from three to 9 months depending on the weather, hibernation, predators and food supply factors.

Why do people begin seeing more Lady Bugs in their homes during the Fall season? Lady Bugs begin to “invade” homes and indoor spaces after leaving their typical feeding sites such as fields, wooded areas and yards in search of warmer climates to spend the harsh winter months. Homes closer to these types of areas will experience a higher rate of Lady Bugs than, say, City Dwellers. This usually happens when the temperatures drop to the mid-60’s (Fahrenheit) in the Autumn.

What do Lady Bugs eat? Lady Bugs eat ‘Aphids’, which are soft-bodied, destructive insects that sucks the juice out of plants. One interesting fact is that because they enjoy some level of humidity, and most homes are very dry in the winter, you may actually witness a Lady Bug drinking water in your home.

Are Lady Bugs harmful? No, they are not. As long as you don’t have a huge infestation, you should just let them be until the Spring when they will leave their indoor hibernation spots again.

Thanks for taking the time to read our “Lady Bug Q&A”!

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