The Asian Lady Beetle Is Here!

Because Lady Bugs are perhaps the most celebrated of insects in the United States, one may not know how to handle the sudden boom in the local Lady Bug population Michigan has been experiencing.  The good news is the insects are harmless to humans and beneficial to some types of agriculture, the bad news is that they eat some fruit crops, and are a nuisance when they start entering our homes.  Also, if provoked, they can emit a stinky yellow substance which has been know to stain some surfaces.  The brand of Lady Beetle entering our homes is relatively new to the mid-west.  If you'd like to read more about it, Michigan State University and the Ohio State Extension bulletin contain good articles on the subject, including some ideas on how to handle the influx of the lovely ladies into your home.  For more ideas on how to keep unwanted pests out of your home this winter, read the MDA article on the subject found here.