Control of the
Asian Lady Beetle
in South Dakota

Mike Catangui, Ph.D. - Assoc. Professor / Entomologist

Update 9-27-06:  Deltamethrin (Buggslayer, Suspend SC) is now labeled for
use against the Asian lady beetle.

Asian lady beetles are beneficial insects because they feed on aphids, scale insects, and other soft-bodied arthropods.  They do not destroy wood or any structures in buildings, nor do they bite humans and pets on purpose.  They appear to enter buildings only for the purpose of seeking shelter.  Reproduction and feeding do not occur indoors.

Considerable time and effort were spent by the USDA and other institution to import and release Asian lady beetles in the U.S.  The public is therefore encouraged not to kill Asian lady beetles found inside dwellings.  Beetles congregating indoors may be removed using a vacuum cleaner or dust pan  then returned outdoors under some vegetation cover such as shelterbelts, shrubs, and compost piles.  Care must be taken when removing the beetles since they may excrete a yellow liquid when agitated that may then stain carpets and walls. 

Preventing entry into homes may be the best way of controlling Asian lady beetles (and other insects such as attic flies) in homes.  Small openings in the siding, eaves, windows, doors, and utility pipes must be sealed before the fall migration of the insects.

The USDA-ARS has developed a light trap that may be used as an adjunct to the control measures mentioned above.  The design of the trap can be found on the USDA-ARS Web site at http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/br/lbeetle/001030.trap.pdf .  The trap attracts Asian lady beetles and other insects using a light source, then funnel the insects into a bag that could then be emptied outdoors.