they could have been much worse without predators like the Lady Beetle gobbling all that they could. In nature, when food supplies are high, predators produce more offspring, which in turn have their fill of dinner, and also reproduce. The cycle goes on and on until the food source is exhausted. This year, with so many sugarcane aphids as a food source for the Lady Beetle, many more beetles were produced than in previous years.
Why does this matter right now? I am sure that you have seen the swarms of beetles attempting to come into your homes and sheds. As the sorghum is drying down and being harvested, the days are getting colder, and the aphids are dying as well, the Lady Beetles are searching for a warm spot to survive the winter. As in the case of the Asian Lady Beetle, which in its native lands resides in mountain caves, they seek high places at your home or shed. This can become a major nuisance because of the sheer amount of insects invading your property, as well as the possible smell coming from them. They can also bite, and in some people, this can cause an allergic reaction. There is minimal risk to your pets from Lady Beetles, but there have been a few rare cases that needed a veterinarian’s help removing the insects from a dog’s mouth. These cases are extraordinarily unusual, but it is worth mentioning with the influx of numbers of beetles this year.
To keep Lady Beetles out of your house, caulking and sealing any cracks around doors and windows will help immensely. Sprays that provide a barrier will need a professional application, so call your local exterminator for an appointment. If the beetles still make it into your home, using a vacuum to remove them will kill them as well as disposing of them. After 4-6 weeks, they should be overwintering, and the nuisance will abate.
Alicia Boor is the Agriculture and Natural Resources agent for Barton County K-State Research and Extension. You can contact her by e-mail at aboor@ksu.edu or calling 620-793-1910