By Sharon Omahen
University of Georgia
A roaring fire in the hearth, coats and mittens hanging in the foyer and windblown leaves racing around outside are all signs that winter has arrived. Many Georgians may want to add "lady beetles on the ceilings" to that list.
Each winter, more and more Asian lady beetles, often called ladybugs, travel into homes seeking shelter from the cold. They may be beneficial in the garden, but they aren't typically welcome indoors.
Asian lady beetles are one of several species in Georgia. But they're the only one here with the annoying houseguest habit, said Kris Braman, a University of Georgia entomologist.
"Lady beetles are the universal feel-good bugs, so it's unfortunate a few are becoming pests," said Braman, a researcher with the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
Braman's work focuses on integrated pest management. This pest-control method encourages the use of beneficial insects such as lady beetles.
"Lady beetles feed on aphids, an insect that can cause major damage to pecan trees, crape myrtles, roses and many other plants," she said. "When they're around to eat the aphids, homeowners may not need to spray insecticides."
Lately, UGA Cooperative Extension county agents are getting a lot of calls statewide about lady beetles. People aren't calling to praise them for their aphid-eating skills.
"Homeowners should actually show these lady beetles some gratitude," said Vicki Owen, a UGA Extension agent in Crawford County. "When you find where they're coming into your home, you're finding somewhere that cold air can come in, too."
Owen recommends sweeping up the beetles and physically returning them outdoors.
"During this temperature transition stage, they're just looking for a place to stay for the winter," she said. "We've never radio-collared them to be sure, but chances are, the ones you sweep out aren't going to come back in."
If you do resort to physical removal, Braman urges you to be careful. Lady beetles do have a defense mechanism.
"They can release yellow hemolymph, which is reflexive bleeding from their joints," she said. "It's a defensive response for you that can result in orange stains on your walls and furniture."
Published on 11/15/07
Indoor invaders not ladies
Sharon Omahen is a news editor with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
Experts/Sources:
CAES News
UGA study shows all students benefit from healthy school lunches
04/24/24 Erica P. Techo
School lunches have come a long way from square pizza and fish sticks, and students across the board are benefiting from improved nutritional standards in the cafeteria. A new study from the University of Georgia found that children from all walks of life improved their diet quality when they ate school-prepared lunches following the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act nutritional guidelines instead of home-prepared lunches.
CAES News
Corley, Nordstrom named UGA-Griffin 2024 Classified Employees of the Year
04/23/24 Ashley N Biles
The University of Georgia Griffin campus recently named Kenny Corley and Daniel Nordstrom the 2024 Classified Employees of the Year. The designation was made at the 35th annual Employee Recognition Ceremony held April 3. The Employee of the Year award is presented to classified personnel who have made a significant impact on programs at UGA-Griffin through superior job knowledge and performance, work attitude, initiative, dependability and time management.
CAES News
Volunteers uplift statewide UGA Extension outreach programs
04/22/24 Sheri Dorn, Keri Gandy Hobbs
University of Georgia Cooperative Extension depends on thousands of volunteers who give generously to extend program impact and reach in support Extension missions. During Volunteer Appreciation Week April 21-28, UGA Extension celebrates the many volunteers who donate their time to facilitate 4-H, Master Gardener and Family and Consumer Sciences programming. Volunteers across Extension contributed over 324,200 hours in 2023, the equivalent of more than 155 full-time employees.
CAES News
CAES to celebrate new graduates during May 9 convocation
04/18/24 Sameeka Prabath Rajamani
As another academic year draws to a close, the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences is gearing up for its Athens campus convocation ceremony, which will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 9, at The Classic Center in Athens. “Each year, it’s an honor to celebrate the success of our CAES graduates,” said CAES Dean and Director Nick T. Place. “It’s amazing what these students accomplish during their time with us, and I’m always excited to commemorate this next step in their lives as they continue on to either further studies or the start of their careers.”
CAES News
UGA horticulture class shows students the science behind herbal remedies
04/16/24 Sameeka Prabath Rajamani
The field of medicine is ever-changing, and the use of herbal medicines may play a bigger role in health care as the value of natural remedies gain recognition in the Western world. Students at the University of Georgia’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences are delving into the field of medicinal remedies through the class “Herbs, Spices and Medicinal Plants.” Offered to undergraduate students through the Department of Horticulture, the class helps students develop a deeper understanding of the connection between nature and health.
CAES News
Using robotics to help sort onions on Georgia farms
04/15/24 David Mitchell
During the pandemic, labor problems became acute on many farms in Georgia and across the country. Farms once staffed by humans to bring produce from the field to stores for purchase were suddenly short-staffed, and the global supply chain was severely impacted. Working with UGA’s Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center and A&M Farms in Lyons, Georgia, a team of researchers led by School of Computing Professor Prashant Doshi is designing collaborative robots to mitigate some of these potential challenges.