Ladybird infestation - what to do?!

[NotdeadyetBOING]

Normally I love them, but entire house (old, wooden) now overrun with the blighters. Millions. Apparently they don't nest in wood and aren't invasive in any way - but how on earth is one supposed to get rid of them?

Is it a thing this year? We, too, are overrun and my MIL (opposite end of the country) said she is too.
I just pick them up and put them outside.

I've been removing a couple each day from our bedroom window as well - we live in Oxfordshire...

Keep being woken up by them in the night -as they fall on my face

you can vacuum them up
apparently spraying the areas where they nest with insect spray eg windows in the autumn is best as it puts them off

Just any old insect spray? That is interesting and I will do it in the autumn, but in the meantime I guess just opening the window and trying to brush them out or hoovering them up is the only answer. Have never had it like this so rather odd.

Google ladybird pest control and get someone in. I think after bleaching and glossing all the wood where they could have laid eggs and then pest control smoke bombing they are gone...I hope! I've really gone off the nasty little things - they were living inside the curtain track!

when it's very cold and they are inactive (early morning perhaps) you can gently brush them into a bin or bucket and take them outside. They have come in for shelter from the cold, I believe they can smell where other lbs have been.

It seems a shame to kill them in the vac.

A rose-grower might be glad of them.

We have lots too!

I think it would be dreadful to vacuum them - how cruel. Just sweep them up and put them outside. I had lots in our bathroom once. I couldn't have harmed them. They've never come back.

people pay good money for ladybirds - well gardeners do at least.
sorry no help

They will all move out soon as its warmer. We used to get them every year.

If you know their entry point, rub it with white spirit - they don't cross over. They have some sort of homing beacon like salmon and keep coming back along the same route unless you block it.

(This may not be scientifically accurate, but I have found it to work.)

I vacuumed them up - there were loads and garden hasn't suffered. The ones that come indoors are invasive Harlequin ladybirds which are squeezing out native species anyway.

If you can see their entry point or where they like to cluster in the house, smother it in Olbas oil. They leave scent which attracts them back year after year - I've had a lot less after covering my window edges and their fav spots with Olbas.

Right - will try Olbas Oil and white spirit!
We do have a lovely garden (with roses) so will see if I can persuade them to move house…..

I think there is a population surge. We had the same thing in our old home last winter and our current house does too. They are all waking up and moving out now it's warming up. I read that they send out scent signals to summon other ladybirds to come to good hibernation spots.
I prefer excess ladybirds to excess green fly aphids or ants!

Various herbs may help!