Ladybird infestation

12 replies

CarrieMumsnet · 26/12/2007 22:53

Staying with some friends in Derbyshire and they have a serious ladybird problem inside the house. They've had literally hundreds of them and all day they've been crawling over the furniture. They started off putting them outside but have resorted to hoovering them up.Any ideas why they'd have them and how they'd get rid? They live by a river if that has anything to do with it?

OP posts:

harleyd · 26/12/2007 22:55

@ hoovering them

i love ladybirds

TenLordsaLapin · 26/12/2007 22:56

Apparently some varieties are protected under law! and also they hate turmeric (it's the smell) so sprinkle it on window and door frames.

ILikeToMoveItMoveIt · 26/12/2007 22:56

We have hibernating ladybirds in our window frames, who come to life when they are disturbed. There are loads and are very annoying, but I can't bring myself to do anything but put them out.

candypandy · 26/12/2007 23:08

TLL turmeric that sounds useful. We have ladybird infestations and have no idea what to do. Have to find "kind" way of dealing with it as the children think it's just lovely when it kind of ain't.

TenLordsaLapin · 26/12/2007 23:09

I googled it and amongst other interesting facts, apparently ladybirds have poisonous knees when scared!

paulaplumpbottom · 26/12/2007 23:13

try placing a red chilli pepper near their nest. Tumeric works as well but is messier.

smartiejake · 26/12/2007 23:13

My husbands wierd uncle and aunt gave us a lady bird bug nesting box for christmas. They also gave us a bee box to encourage a bee hive to form too- oh great! Infestation of lady birds AND swarms of angry bees chasing us round the garden this summer!

mylittleponey · 26/12/2007 23:14

if their heating was turned up the ladybirds might have woken up.

MNHQ

CarrieMumsnet · 26/12/2007 23:36

They have recently had a new fire fitted in the lounge and the house is lovely and toasty.. so maybe the ladybirds have woken up early and can't get outside? Will suggest chillis and turmeric. I was also a bit at the hoovering, but from what I can gather it's been a bit horror movie esque with swarms of the beasts.

have one on bedroom wall as I type but am leaving it be you'll be glad to know..

Thanks for speedy replies

Night all

OP posts:

TenLordsaLapin · 26/12/2007 23:37

Beware the poisonous knees!

TooTickyDoves · 26/12/2007 23:42

Serve them right if they get aphid infestations! Hoovering indeed.

pinkteddy · 26/12/2007 23:47

I have noticed this recently in dd's room. Apparently they like warmth and nesting in wooden window frames. Also they leave a strong scent which attracts other ladybirds. I found this website which may be useful. lady birds invasion

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