Ladybugs...

[chip]

Thousands of the little buggers.  In the popup, driving me nuts.  :yikes:

Usually I don't mind having them around, since they are good for control of other, less desirable bugs on the landscape.  But I'd rather not have them congregating in my sleeping area.

Aside from vaccuuming them out (twice now, going for three times this week), and using mild insecticides, anybody got a suggestion as to how to get rid of these things?

[Cheryl]

Chip,
I wish I could help you out! At least you don't have a problem with Japenese Stink Bugs. They are EVERYWHERE here in Maryland. They entered the country on box cars, have infested the Eastern Seaboard all along train tracks and WE CAN"T GET RID OF THEM. They have no known predators here and none of our pesticides kill them! Birds won't eat them and even spiders kick them out of their webs. I have talked to Universtiry AG Centers, Depts. of Health, and no one has an answer. They get into every knook and cranny in the house, in the trailer, and in my cars! They STINK if you go near them, step on them, slap them, etc.  I don't have a problem with bugs in the great outdoors but NOT IN MY SPACES. Sorry to rant but I'd trade problems with you any day! LOL
Happy camping,
Cheryl

[flyfisherman]

Ladybugs are one of the best friends of a gardner ... and they are an aphids nightmare come true! I like having them around for that reason but they sure will be seeking indoor protection for the winter! The good thing is they will not reproduce or eat anything while inside and "nesting" for the cold months.

Getting rid of them can be a real chore ... they are hard to kill. Doing the vacuuming is about the best and then trying to seal-up to where they can't find a crack to enter in by. Of course, while your popup is opened up, finding a way in would be real easy for them, like coming in under the bunk end canvas. Having one of those hand held (battery opereated) vacuum cleaners are a neat thing to have stowed away in the camper especially for such things as lady bugs!



Dale

[tlhdoc]

Thousands of the little buggers. In the popup, driving me nuts. :yikes:
 
Usually I don't mind having them around, since they are good for control of other, less desirable bugs on the landscape. But I'd rather not have them congregating in my sleeping area.
 
Aside from vaccuuming them out (twice now, going for three times this week), and using mild insecticides, anybody got a suggestion as to how to get rid of these things?

Are you sure they are Ladybugs?  The Japanese Beetles look a lot like ladybugs.  The are orange, stink and can bite.  There are all over in my area, and have been for several years.

[HersheyGirl]

We have the Japanese beetles everywhere in the house here.  Even the kitten wants nothing to do with them, they are just awful.

[AustinBoston]

One importanth thing about Japanese Lady Beetles...

DO NOT SQUISH, CRUSH, OR MASH THEM

If you break the shell, it releases a chemical that just attracts more Japanese Lady Beetles.  We try to vacuum them up, then throw out the vaccum bag.

We even have them here in central Minnesota, where winters down to -25

[meriflower1985]

It is probably those annoying asian beetles and not ladybugs.  As AustinBostin said not even a MN winter will kill them - they find someplace to hole up for the winter.  Best to vacuum - if you squish them they do leave a mark - especially on canvas!

Nancy

[tlhdoc]

We have found that they don't swim so well (knock them into a half a cup of water), and once they go into the toilet they don't come back.:yikes: