How to Get Rid of Ladybugs

With their cheery red shells and cheeky black polka dots, ladybugs are bugs even non-bug lovers can get behind. They fascinate children, bring good luck and inspire countless Halloween costumes. But what are ladybugs, exactly, and what do they do? Are they friends or foes? And why would you want to get rid of them?

We talked to two entomology experts to learn about these cute little creatures and what you can do if they become pests in and around your home.

What Is a Ladybug?

A ladybug, lady beetle or even ladybird (as they’re known in the UK) is a small member of a big beetle family called Coccinellidae. “There are more than 6,000 species of ladybugs,” says Rafia Kahn, Ph.D., an assistant professor of entomology at Texas A&M University. Even though we generally think of ladybugs as being red with black spots, ladybugs come in many colors, from red to orange to black, and some have no spots at all.

Ladybugs aren’t what entomologists call “true bugs,” which make up a different category, or “order,” of insects. One difference is how they eat: Ladybugs and other beetles have mouthparts that chew, while true bugs use their mouthparts to pierce and suck (like a mosquito). Another difference? Beetles always have two sets of wings, the front set being a hard and protective “wing case,” which in the ladybug is the red (or other color) spotted part you can see.

Kahn says ladybugs have four life stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult. A female ladybug can lay 1000 eggs in her lifetime, 10-50 at a time. It takes about four to eight weeks for a ladybug to go from egg to adult, and adults can live for a year or more. The reason they are brightly colored is to deter predators, and they also give off a bad-tasting and/or toxic secretion to warn other predators not to mess with them.

Are Ladybugs Beneficial?

Yes. It’s hard to believe that cute little ladybugs are predators, but they happily consume annoying garden pests. “They are very beneficial to gardens because they feed on aphids and other plant-damaging pests,” says Shannon Harlow-Ellis, an associate certified entomologist and technical services manager at Mosquito Joe pest control services.

Kahn says ladybugs even feed on pests during their larval stage. In fact, ladybug larvae eat more bugs than they do when they are adults! Ladybug larvae have a prehistoric, alligator vibe, and sometimes gardeners mistake them for non-beneficial insects because they don’t look much like adult ladybugs. Think twice before you spray or pick off these little eating machines.

How To Get Rid of Ladybugs

Ladybugs may be friends to gardeners, but when they start hanging out inside, you may develop a different opinion. “We don’t need to worry about ladybugs too much, but when their population rises, or when winter approaches, they can get inside the home to get shelter or to overcome winter temperatures,” Kahn says. “That’s when they can become a nuisance for homeowners.”

“Also, when disturbed, ladybugs can emit a foul odor and release yellow fluids that can stain surfaces,” Harlow-Ellis says. Harlequin ladybugs, aka Asian lady beetles, in particular, can congregate in large numbers inside the home, Harlow-Ellis adds, and they’ve even been known to bite humans. (Don’t worry, it’s not poisonous.)

To control ladybugs inside your home, here’s what to do:

• Seal up cracks. One of the main ways ladybugs get inside is through small crevices, cracks and spaces around doors, windows, siding and fascia. Seal gaps and cracks with caulk, and use weatherstripping and door sweeps to keep ladybugs out.
• Trim trees. Vegetation hanging over or touching your home is like a ladybug superhighway, so keep trees trimmed and leaf litter to a minimum. Kahn says that if you’re trying to keep them out, “don’t make your garden too friendly” to ladybugs.
• Have a healthy garden ecosystem. Harlow-Ellis says balance is the key to any healthy garden. Plant a wide variety of plants to attract birds, bees, ladybugs and other beneficial organisms that help to keep things in check.
• Deter with smell. Kahn says ladybugs don’t like bay leaves and cloves, so placing sachets where they congregate can get them to move on. Citronella and other essential oils help, too: “Homeowners can spray these oils around entry points of the home,” Harlow-Ellis says.
• Vacuum them. If deterrence isn’t cutting it, you can remove ladybugs from your house by vacuuming them up. Don’t leave them in a vacuum! “Be sure to empty the vacuum outside to help prevent re-infestation,” Harlow-Ellis says. Kahn says you can put them in the outside trash or release them, but do it “far from your home” to keep them from returning.

About the Experts

• Rafia Kahn, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of entomology and an extension specialist at Texas A&M University. Her work focuses on residential ornamental and turfgrass integrated pest management, helping nurseries manage their pest problems.
• Shannon Harlow-Ellis is an associate-certified entomologist and technical services manager at Mosquito Joe. A lifelong “bug gal,” Harlow-Ellis is a 2023 recipient of the National Pest Management Association Impact Awards for Women in Pest Management.