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Original poster

A plague of ladybirds

100 replies

HappyLittleLentil · 08/10/2023 14:21

Has anyone got a plague of ladybirds in their area? There are a few hundred in my garden - on the clothes line, the walls, garden bench. Loads of little spots on these too!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
Dfg15 · 08/10/2023 14:24

Oh goodness, where are you. I have an irrational fear of those little spotty buggers!

Severalreasons · 08/10/2023 14:25

Yep I visited family in Merseyside yesterday and they were absolutely everywhere!

ladymalfoy45 · 08/10/2023 14:29

Unfortunately,no. I've seen very few in our garden this year.
My DSF was a world renowned Ladybird expert and I'm always looking out for them.
Can't find any hibernating under our windows or the usual places.
I'm hoping it's like the butterflies and they will be a bit later this year.
I love Ladybirds.

Original poster
HappyLittleLentil · 08/10/2023 14:34

We're in the Swansea Valley. They're everywhere!

OP posts:
gamerchick · 08/10/2023 14:37

People buy them online and then leave negative reviews because the ladybirds bugger off out of their gardens.

They're excellent pest control.

CesareBorgia · 08/10/2023 14:39

There was a plague of ladybirds in 1976, following the drought - lack of water had driven them from their usual habitats.

Dizzydeers · 08/10/2023 14:42

I remember going to Norfolk a few years ago when they had a plague of ladybirds, there were dead ladybirds piled up on outdoor staircases.

Original poster
HappyLittleLentil · 08/10/2023 14:46

My 6'4" ex rugby player husband is shrieking and flapping in the garden when they land on him. 🤦‍♀️

OP posts:
Original poster
HappyLittleLentil · 08/10/2023 14:47

Dizzydeers · 08/10/2023 14:42

I remember going to Norfolk a few years ago when they had a plague of ladybirds, there were dead ladybirds piled up on outdoor staircases.

Ah I hope we don't have that many!

OP posts:
Iamlikesorry · 08/10/2023 14:47

Huge plague of them in Dorset today

CacenCaws · 08/10/2023 14:54

Not loads but there were a couple on my washing that I had to remove while getting it in yesterday and today. The ones with more black though, rather than the common red spotty ones. In North Wales

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 08/10/2023 15:36

I wonder if this is going to be a repeat of 1976.
I don't remember it as I was only a babe in arms. My Dad used to talk a lot about it though.
I've not seen any up to now though

tired17 · 08/10/2023 16:42

I got attacked by a swarm of ladybirds in 1976. I was completely covered in them. It's only in the past few years that I realised swarms of ladybirds were a problem that year. Obviously I wasn't hurt but I remember it being quite traumatic - I was 7 at the time.

CoreopsisEverywhere · 08/10/2023 16:46

Hundreds on one of our bedroom windows today. Don’t remember this in other years.

Nottinghamshire

userxx · 08/10/2023 16:47

Yes!! South Manchester.

StillWantingADog · 08/10/2023 16:48

userxx · 08/10/2023 16:47

Yes!! South Manchester.

Same here. Literally hundreds. Never seen more than one or two at a time before.

daytriptovulcan · 08/10/2023 16:48

What a miserable post. Will you be happy when everything's dead, and there's only humans left.

Andontothenextproblem · 08/10/2023 16:49

i remember around 1993 we visited my grandparents in Burham on Sea and there was a plague on the sea front…

The metal bar only the wall was covered in them, they were all over cars, you were crunching them underfoot as tog walked they were in our hair, it was absolutely awful and had put my off ladybirds for life!

userxx · 08/10/2023 16:49

daytriptovulcan · 08/10/2023 16:48

What a miserable post. Will you be happy when everything's dead, and there's only humans left.

Eh ? Where did it say we want them dead, I'm fascinated by the little bugs.

StillWantingADog · 08/10/2023 16:51

CoreopsisEverywhere · 08/10/2023 16:46

Hundreds on one of our bedroom windows today. Don’t remember this in other years.

Nottinghamshire

Edited

Same here. Not quite sure what to do tbh. Going to get the hairdryer and try and shoo them out with the lowest setting.

Vallmo47 · 08/10/2023 16:51

Spotted two in house today, I noticed cause it’s unusual. Somerset.

Murpe · 08/10/2023 16:51

Three in the bathroom just now, wondered where they have all sprung from, as I can see them on the laundry too outside. I've seen very few this summer though.

DigbyTheDigger · 08/10/2023 16:52

I haven't seen even one this year, I'm very jealous.

assertiveannie · 08/10/2023 16:53

Haven't noticed it here - northeast. Shame because I'd readily collect them all and transport them to my allotment where they 're desperately needed! I also remember 1976. We had great fun collecting them in empty Dandelion & Burdock bottles

Milliondollars · 08/10/2023 16:53

I haven’t seen any for years but there were about ten in the garden the other day. Also South Wales.

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