Harlequin Ladybirds

[paulapantsdown]

I seem to have the start of a bit of an infestation of these little fellas ... they are not native ladybirds are they? Should I be worried?

They are certainly not as pretty as the native ones

Harlequin ladybirds are invading homes as they spread across Britain at the rate of 60 miles a year, destroying native species as they go. The ladybirds are the most successful invading species in Britain and can now be found as far north as Leeds. They are likely to be seen in greater numbers this winter as their colonies grow. There are now thought to be billions in the country. They invade homes, emit awful smells, stain surfaces and damage walls and curtains. The insects, which only arrived in southern England from Asia via Europe five years ago, eat other young ladybirds and other insects.

Pesky little buggers!

oh my god! what do i need to do then?

you can contact your local authority or a private pest control company to tackle the problem or just hoover them up lol

I looked into this, as we had a few on our window sill. When the guy was here from the council (for a wasp nest), he said they wouldn't be able to touch them, as ladybirds themselves are protected/endangered creature, and they would be harming genuine ladybirds as well as the harlequin ones if they tried. Might be different where you are, but iirc, that's what he said. We just swept them off, and have had new windows fitted since due to rotten frames etc. So hope they won't be back.

There was an article on radio 4 about them, they said not to destroy them as well because you can destroy native ones as well. It doesn't make much sense to me either but that's the advice.