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Asian Lady Beetles Guide

Identify

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What Do Asian Lady Beetles Look Like?

Identifying Asian Lady Beetles

Asian lady beetles, a type of ladybug, are overwintering pests, meaning they invade homes and structures during colder months to escape the cold, reemerging in the spring as temperatures rise.

While all ladybugs offer benefits by consuming aphids, mites, and other crop-damaging pests, Asian lady beetles are an invasive species with distinct drawbacks. Unlike other ladybugs, they can produce a strong odor and secrete a liquid that stains surfaces. In large numbers, they can quickly become a nuisance due to their rapid reproduction.

This guide will help you identify Asian lady beetles and distinguish them from other ladybugs. For tips on dealing with these pests, check out our Asian Lady Beetle Treatment Guide for effective solutions.

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Key Characteristics of Asian Lady Beetles | Size

Asian lady beetles are small, typically ranging from 0.3 to 0.7 inches in length.

Key Characteristics of Asian Lady Beetles | Shape

  • Like other ladybugs, they are round or elliptical in shape.
  • They have antennae, 6 legs, and wings for flight.

Key Characteristics of Asian Lady Beetles | Color

Asian Lady Beetles:

  • Feature white "cheeks" with an “M” or “W” marking on their heads.
  • Can be red, orange, or yellow, often with black spots, stripes, or no markings at all.

Other Ladybugs:

  • Typically red, sometimes yellow or orange, with black heads and smaller white spots.

Key Characteristics of Asian Lady Beetles | Range

  • Asian lady beetles, along with other ladybug species, can be found throughout the United States.

If you’ve spotted Asian lady beetles indoors, read our guide on where they hide to locate other potential infestations. Click below to explore more.

Where Do Asian Lady Beetles Hide?

Asian lady beetles, a species of ladybug, are categorized as overwintering pests. This means they seek shelter inside homes or buildings as temperatures drop in the fall. During winter, they remain in hiding until warmer weather prompts them to emerge in search of food.

If you've noticed a few Asian lady beetles in your home, there could be more hiding from the cold. Read our guide to discover where these pests typically hide indoors.

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Where Do Overwintering Pests Hide?

Asian lady beetles and other overwintering pests prefer to avoid human interaction while waiting out the winter. They tend to hide in low-traffic areas of the home. Although most overwintering pests stay dormant until spring, Asian lady beetles may emerge if the home's heating system makes their hiding spots too warm.

When inspecting your home, check these common hiding places:

  • Attics
  • Basements
  • Garages
  • Closets
  • Crawlspaces
  • Cupboards and Cabinets
  • Storage Areas
  • Under Appliances
  • Around Light Sources
  • Outdoor Sheds and Tree Houses
  • On Curtains, Bedding, and Other Fabrics in Unused Rooms
  • Cracks and Crevices Throughout the Home

When and Where Will You Spot Asian Lady Beetles?

Overwintering pests, including Asian lady beetles, are rarely seen during the winter. However, they become more noticeable in the spring as temperatures rise or in the fall when they seek shelter.

When they emerge in warmer weather, Asian lady beetles are commonly found:

  • Around door frames
  • On windowsills and near windows
  • Around lighting fixtures
  • On the sunniest side of the house

Asian lady beetles can also leave behind a sticky, smelly residue. If you’re dealing with an infestation, refer to our guide on controlling Asian lady beetles for detailed solutions.

Click the arrow below to learn more.

How to Get Rid of Asian Lady Beetles

Asian lady beetles, a species of ladybug, are overwintering pests that hide inside homes and buildings during the winter to escape the cold. These pests remain hidden throughout the winter and typically emerge in the spring as temperatures rise, searching for food.

The best way to manage Asian lady beetles is by preventing them from entering your home in the first place. If they are already indoors, treatment options may be more limited since they often reside in inaccessible areas. Ideally, prevention measures should be taken before winter to keep them out.

Read the guide below for detailed steps to treat your home for Asian lady beetles.

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Step1 Treat Using an Overwintering Pest Kit

Use a combination of liquid insecticide and insecticide dust to treat areas where Asian lady beetles may be hiding. These products target the pests in and around your home to control the infestation.

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Step2 Apply Liquid Insecticide

Select a liquid insecticide labeled for Asian lady beetles, mix it with water in a sprayer, and apply it to specific areas inside your home where the pests have been spotted. Focus on these locations:

  • Around door and window frames
  • Where utility pipes enter the home
  • Beneath appliances and sinks
  • In corners of rooms and along baseboards

Keep pets and children away from treated areas until the insecticide has dried (usually 1-2 hours).

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Step3 Use Insecticide Dust for Hard-to-Reach Areas

Insecticide dusts are ideal for cracks, crevices, and other difficult-to-access areas. While slower to kill, they provide long-lasting control and should be used alongside liquid insecticides.

Apply the dust using a duster in the following areas:

  • Around door and window frames
  • Where cables and pipes enter your home
  • Around eaves, soffits, and wall voids
  • In attics, closets, and other storage spaces
  • Underneath appliances and sinks

Only apply 1-2 small puffs of dust per area, as too much dust can reduce effectiveness.

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Step4 Vacuum Asian Lady Beetles

For live pests, vacuuming is the most effective way to remove them. Avoid using a broom, as crushing the beetles may release a smelly, staining liquid.

Once vacuumed, empty the vacuum contents into a sealed trash bag and dispose of it in an outdoor garbage can immediately.

Post-Treatment Tips

After treatment, you should notice a decrease in Asian lady beetle activity within a few days to weeks. If activity persists, consider reapplying treatment after 30 days.

To prevent future infestations, explore preventative measures, such as sealing cracks and crevices around your home. Learn more in our guide on preventing Asian lady beetles.

How to Prevent Asian Lady Beetles

Your home may unknowingly serve as a refuge for pests during the winter months. Asian lady beetles, a type of overwintering pest, often hide in the cracks and crevices of homes to escape the cold. They typically remain hidden during winter but become a nuisance in the spring when they emerge in search of food.

Asian lady beetles are commonly found on the sunniest side of the home, usually facing southwest or west.

Fortunately, there are effective ways to prevent these pests from entering your home. Follow the steps below to keep Asian lady beetles and other overwintering pests at bay.

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Step1 Treat the Perimeter of Your Home

Before the first frost, apply a liquid insecticide labeled for overwintering pests around the outside of your home. Mix the insecticide with water in a sprayer, following label directions, and treat the following areas:

  • Spray 3 feet up and 3 feet out from the foundation around the home’s perimeter.
  • On the sunniest side of the home, spray up to 3 feet onto the wall.
  • Treat cracks and crevices in the foundation.
  • Spray around door and window frames, vents, and utility openings.
  • Focus on soffits, eaves, and outdoor light fixtures.

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Step2 Spot Treat Inside Your Home

Inside your home, use insecticide spray for targeted applications. Avoid spraying entire rooms or walls. Focus on these specific areas:

  • Around door and window frames
  • Where utility pipes enter the home
  • Beneath appliances and sinks

Keep children and pets away from treated areas until the spray has dried, typically 1-2 hours.

Step3 Apply Insecticide Dust in Cracks and Crevices

Insecticide dusts are ideal for long-term protection in hard-to-reach areas. While slower to act, they complement liquid insecticides by offering sustained control.

Use a hand duster to apply 1-2 small puffs of dust in these areas:

  • Around door and window frames
  • Where cables and pipes enter the home
  • Eaves, soffits, and wall voids behind outlets
  • Corners of attics and closets
  • Cracks and crevices throughout the home
  • Beneath sinks and appliances

Avoid overapplying dust, as too much can reduce its effectiveness.

Step4 Practice Integrated Pest Management

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) involves proactive steps to make your home less appealing to pests. These include:

  • Clearing debris, mulch, or pine straw at least 6 inches from the foundation.
  • Trimming branches and shrubs so they do not touch your home.
  • Adding door sweeps to external doors.
  • Sealing cracks and crevices with caulk.
  • Repairing torn window screens.
  • Cleaning gutters to prevent buildup.
  • Adding steel mesh where utilities enter the home.
  • Regularly vacuuming and maintaining a clean home to remove food sources.

Additional Resources

  • Learn how to identify Asian lady beetles with our Identification Guide.
  • Follow our Treatment Guide for step-by-step instructions to remove them from your home.
  • Discover where they hide in our Inspection Guide.

If you have any questions about preventing Asian lady beetles or other overwintering pests, feel free to call our expert customer service team at or email us.

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