clootie Posted March 24, 2011 Share Posted March 24, 2011 This is the second year running that I've had swarms of ladybirds in the house. They are only usually in a bedroom but now they've moved to the bathroom next door to it. I live in an old house with sash windows so they are obviously finding plenty of nooks and crannies which means I can't go round the windows with decorators caulk. I'm hoovering them up by the tonne and they are a bit whiffy to say the least which means regular replacement of the hoover bag whether it's full or not. I hate killing anything so any ideas on how to get rid of these little creatures would be much appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted March 24, 2011 Share Posted March 24, 2011 We have the same in our office, which is an old Victorian Gothic building. My office is very sunny and the warmth seems to bring them out. I just open the windows and scoop them outside... live, dead, the lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clootie Posted March 24, 2011 Author Share Posted March 24, 2011 I can't scoop them here though, they are always right at the top of the sash windows which only open from below or they congregate in the workings of the window itself. I've got lots of the nasty ones too, black with red spots Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted March 24, 2011 Share Posted March 24, 2011 Can't you just leave the spring sun to wake them and then let them fly away? What harm are they doing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clootie Posted March 24, 2011 Author Share Posted March 24, 2011 But they don't fly away OSH - there are hundreds of them, they never find their way out I dont want to kill them all but they refuse to go anywhere Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Margalot Posted March 24, 2011 Share Posted March 24, 2011 Can you sweep them up with a dustpan and brush and put them out the window? they are just coming out of hibernation about now. The black ones arent any more nasty, thats just a myth! ladybirds are supposed to be smelly though its an odour they emit to put of predators. i love ladybirds and use them as natural pest destroyers for our veggie patch and plants, not sure I would like as many as you've got though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted March 24, 2011 Share Posted March 24, 2011 But they don't fly away OSH - there are hundreds of them, they never find their way out I dont want to kill them all but they refuse to go anywhere How about a greenhouse/shed or maybe make up a small cold frame with bricks and a sheet of glass with a small exit hole? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clootie Posted March 24, 2011 Author Share Posted March 24, 2011 But they don't fly away OSH - there are hundreds of them, they never find their way out I dont want to kill them all but they refuse to go anywhere How about a greenhouse/shed or maybe make up a small cold frame with bricks and a sheet of glass with a small exit hole? hmmm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darkwoodali Posted March 24, 2011 Share Posted March 24, 2011 We've got loads too, seem to be nesting in the roof and around the window frames. I did a bit of research and they look like the Asian ones rather than the smaller Native ones. We live on a farm, quite near a woodland and apparently it's quite common. You can get something called Deathlac (I think that's the name) which you spray around the affected area but I tend to hoover them up as I'm not too fond of chemicals. It's fine if you only have a few, they can be lovely things to look at and are good news for your veg patch but I quite understand how you feel when faced with an infestation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clootie Posted March 24, 2011 Author Share Posted March 24, 2011 Yep darkwoodali, they are the Asian ladybirds in my house too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted March 24, 2011 Share Posted March 24, 2011 Ah in which case clootie I must apologise for jumping the gun. Hoover them up and use deathlac on your windowframes. Wilkinson stocks it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
