Ladybird Pest Control & Advice
Predator Pest Solutions are specialists in treating Ladybird infestations. If you would like a free no obligation quote, please call us on 0800 112 3480 or fill in the form on the right.
Information on ladybirds
Harlequin ladybirds were first spotted in the southeast of England in 2004 and since then they have rapidly expanded north and west. They are a voracious predator and easily out-compete native ladybirds for its preferred food of green fly and scale insects. When these food sources are scarce they prey on native ladybirds and other insects such as butterfly eggs, caterpillars and lacewing larvae.
Harlequin ladybirds are about 7mm long and can be black, red or yellow with a varied number of spots. Ladybirds have four distinct life stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult. The adult begins laying eggs on host plants in early spring and they hatch in 3-5 days. The larval stage lasts 12-14 days, with the pupal stage taking place on the leaves of fruit trees or plants. This stage lasts 5-6 days, but during a cooler spring the process of development from egg to adult may take 36 days or longer. Adult ladybirds may live for up to 2-3 years under optimal conditions and a single female can lay over 1,000 eggs.
Ladybird Infestations & Risks
The Harlequin ladybird was introduced into Europe from Asia as a biological control for greenfly, but has since crossed the channel and is gradually spreading west across England. The peak activity is restricted to only a few weeks in autumn, but once inside a building, wandering ladybirds may occur on mild days throughout the winter. When disturbed, these ladybirds can produce a foul smelling liquid, which may stain fabrics etc, but they do not cause damage to the building itself and do not present any significant health risk to pets or humans. However, significant numbers of large ladybirds active on the outside of buildings and sometimes entering buildings, can be a cause of concern to residents.
Ladybird Pest Control
If they are a problem indoors, the ladybirds can be removed using a vacuum cleaner or eradicated using an aerosol or residual insecticide spray. All of our ladybird treatments are HSE approved and it is safe to return to and use the rooms that have been treated after a few hours. If you have pets, keep them out of the affected area for at least 24 hours.
In most situations it normally takes up to 60 minutes for our technician to complete their risk assessment, the required treatment and to brief the customer on the actions taken and next steps, but this can be extended if the infestation is in numerous areas or other hazardous conditions exist. The areas treated should not be cleaned or vacuumed for 14 days.
Once completed, the infestation should start to die off, but our technician can return after 14 days if the infestation requires a further visit to your property. Some ladybird infestations, especially those in commercial or multi-occupancy buildings may require additional visits to eradicate all activity.
If you have a ladybird infestation:
- Regularly inspect airing cupboards, wardrobes and spare rooms for any ladybird activity.
- The fitting of a fly screen can prevent ladybirds entering an open door or window.
- Always clean clothes and fabrics before storing them away in suitcases or sealed vacuum packed bags.
- Regularly shampoo or spray your carpets and sofa’s etc with a suitable cleaning product or disinfectant.
- Hot wash or dry clean any bedding, curtains or clothing that has come into contact with the infestation.
- Carefully check, clean & clear the rooms of any other personal or valuable belongings before storing them away.
- Vacuum and clean all affected areas, then throw the waste away in an external bin.
- Ensure the edges of the rooms and any storage areas to be treated are accessible.
- Call Predator Pest Solutions on Freephone 0800 112 3480.
On arrival, our technician will:
- Establish the species, location and size of the ladybird infestation.
- Determine the most appropriate method of treatment.
- Brief the customer on their findings and recommended next steps.
- Ensure the safety of others & protect any food preparation areas.
- Wear their protective equipment and commence with the treatment.
- Determining the correct and optimum locations for any surface insecticide and deploy with minimum impact to the customer.
- If required, implement a regular monitoring regime and maintain a site plan of the locations treated.
- Ensure the area is left safe and provide a written report.
