How to Get Rid of Ladybugs

Co-authored by Scott McCombe

Ladybugs are wonderful garden insects for aphid-control! However, these creatures quickly become less cute and more annoying if an infestation forms. Remove ladybugs from your home with a vacuum cleaner, a vinegar trap, or with an indoor insecticide. You can also prevent ladybugs from getting in with citronella and citrus scents, or by winterizing your home. Eradicate garden ladybugs with diatomaceous earth or by planting mums.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Eradicating Ladybugs in the Home

1
Vacuum up individual ladybugs if there are just a few.^{[1]
X
Expert Source

Scott McCombe
Pest Control Specialist
Expert Interview. 19 November 2019.} You don’t need anything more drastic than a vacuum cleaner for just a few pesky ladybugs! Simply vacuum up each ladybug you spot and discard the contents of the vacuum cleaner into a sealed plastic bag. Place the bag in the trash to avoid the ladybugs finding their way back into your home.^{[2]
X
Research source}
2
Spray vinegar where you spot ladybugs to remove the pheromone trail. Pour white vinegar into an empty spray bottle. Look around your home and generously spray all of the surfaces where you see ladybugs moving. The white vinegar kills the ladybugs on contact and also removes the pheromones that they release.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- Ladybugs release pheromones that attract other ladybugs. By removing the pheromones, this reduces the number of ladybugs that are drawn into your home.
Advertisement
3
Prepare a bowl of dish soap and water to trap ladybugs. Fill a small bowl with water and a drop of dish soap. Place the bowl in a light area, such as next to a window or a bright lamp. The ladybugs will land in the water as they are drawn to the light.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- The dish soap removes the tension in the water, which means that the ladybugs can't escape.
4
Set up a light trap to remove ladybugs from dark areas. If you notice that a dark area like a cupboard or the attic has a ladybug infestation, then a light trap is your best bet! Purchase an insect light trap from a gardening center and simply place it in the area you are targeting. When there are plenty of ladybugs trapped inside, take the device outdoors and release them.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- Ladybugs are attracted to light. They will try to fly into the light and will instead fall into the collection container. They can't get back out until you release them.
- Light traps are great if you want to remove the ladybugs from your home without harming them.
5
Use an aerosol insecticide to kill large indoor infestations quickly. Purchase an indoor aerosol insecticide from your local grocery or home improvement store. Read the label and manufacturer's directions carefully before you begin using the product. Aim the nozzle at the ladybugs and hold down the spray trigger. The insecticide kills the ladybugs on contact.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- Check that the product is designed for ladybugs and indoor environments before you buy it.
- Always follow all of the safety directions on the label such as wearing gloves and not inhaling the fumes.
- Vacuum up the dead ladybugs.
6
Hire a pest control professional if the infestation is too difficult to manage. While severe ladybug infestations are rare, it's best to contact a professional in these instances to save time and to prevent the infestation growing. If you can't remove all of the ladybugs yourself or if the infestation keeps returning despite preventative measures, contact a local pest control service for professional help.^{[7]
X
Research source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Preventing Ladybugs from Getting Inside

1
Use citronella candles and citrus oils to deter ladybugs using scent. Ladybugs don’t like the smell of citronella or citrus! Use citronella or citrus-scented candles around the entrances to your home when you want to leave the doors open. You can also place a drop of citrus oil into a spray bottle of water and spritz each entrance daily.^{[8]
X
Research source}
- Lemon, lime, orange, or mandarin are ideal scents to use.
2
Place a bag of cloves or bay leaves around entrances to your home. Focus mainly on the entrances that come from the garden or heavily-planted areas, as these are where ladybugs are the most likely. Get a small plastic bag and fill it with cloves, bay leaves, or a combination of both. Leave this on the ground to deter any ladybugs that come close.^{[9]
X
Research source}
- Ladybugs don’t like the smell of cloves and bay leaves.
3
Place weatherstripping along entrance seals to minimize openings.^{[10]
X
Expert Source

Scott McCombe
Pest Control Specialist
Expert Interview. 19 November 2019.} Ladybugs tend to come inside during winter to hibernate until spring. Purchase a peel-and-stick roll of weatherstripping and cut strips of it that are the same size as each door or window seal. Remove the backing and stick the adhesive side onto each interior seal.^{[11]
X
Research source}
- Weatherstripping is also great for keeping water and cold air out of your home.
- If you are finding ladybugs in your home but you already have weatherstripping, it may need to be replaced as it can wear out over time.
4
Install window screens to keep insects outdoors. Measure the size of the windows and purchase pre-made window screens from your local home improvement store. Install each screen on the inside of your home and simply slide it into place, starting from the top of the window. Make sure that the pressure clips lock to keep it secure.^{[12]
X
Research source}
- Alternatively, you can get window screens made-to-measure and professionally fitted.
5
Caulk small openings around the exterior to block insect entrances. Sometimes ladybugs get inside through tiny entrances that are difficult to find! Look around utility pipes, the foundation, frames, and exterior walls for small cracks or holes. Fit the caulk tube into the application gun and apply the caulk into each opening. Seal all of the openings well to prevent ladybugs and other insects from making their way inside.^{[13]
X
Research source}

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Getting Rid of Ladybugs in Your Yard or Garden

1
Sprinkle diatomaceous earth around the yard or garden perimeter. Diatomaceous earth is an effective way to kill ladybugs before they can enter your garden. Wear goggles and a face mask, and generously spread the diatomaceous earth around each garden bed. You can also sprinkle diatomaceous earth around the outside of your house to prevent ladybugs getting inside.^{[14]
X
Research source}
- Diatomaceous earth is safe for pets and children. However, it will kill other beneficial insects like honeybees.
- The goggles and face mask are only to prevent the powder being inhaled as it settles. Once it has settled, you can remove your safety gear.
2
Plant Mums around your yard or garden to repel ladybugs. Deterring ladybugs from getting into your plants and home may be as simple as doing some gardening! Include plenty of mums in your garden, as these plants repel ladybugs. These protect neighboring plants and also deter ladybugs from entering your home through any doors or windows that are close by. Either plant the mums in the ground or in gardening pots and water them regularly to help them thrive.^{[15]
X
Research source}
3
Use an outdoor insecticide if the infestation is difficult to control. If the ladybugs in the garden are unmanageable, then an outdoor insecticide is an effective solution. Find an outdoor insecticide at your local gardening center and follow the manufacturer’s directions closely to apply it. Check the label before you begin to make sure that it's safe for any specific plants you may have, pets, and children.^{[16]
X
Research source}
- Outdoor insecticides are commonly sold as either dusts, powders, or sprays.
- Always use gloves, a face mask, and goggles when applying outdoor insecticides.
- Try controlling the aphids in your yard since they attract ladybugs.^{[17]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Scott McCombe
  Pest Control Specialist
  Expert Interview. 19 November 2019.}

Expert Q&A

Question

What keeps ladybugs away?

Scott McCombe
Pest Control Specialist
Scott McCombe is the CEO of Summit Environmental Solutions (SES), a family-owned local pest solutions, animal control, and home insulation company based in Northern Virginia. Founded in 1991, SES has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and has been awarded “Top Rated Professional,” and “Elite Service Award" by HomeAdvisor.

Scott McCombe

Pest Control Specialist

Expert Answer

Regularly apply pesticide to the areas where large infestations congregate, such as window and door frames, wall voids, and attics.