Ladybug Invasion

The native populations of ladybugs are declining to the point of extinction in areas where the Asian ladybugs are thriving.

The Asian ladybugs can be orange, orange-red, or black with a variety of different numbers of black spots on the back. Antoksena/Shutterstock

Q: My house is being invaded by ladybugs. Why are they coming indoors when there is nothing in here for them? How do I get rid of them?

A: There are several thousand species of ladybugs, or lady beetles or ladybirds, as they may be called, depending on where you live and what your mom called them. Some are what horticulturists call beneficial insects. They eat aphids, mealybugs, and mites that are eating our plants. Some ladybugs are pests because they also eat our plants. Most likely, the one trying to get into your house is the Asian ladybug.