What Are All Those Ladybugs Doing in My House?

If your home is being invaded by ladybugs, don't be surprised. Word is you're not alone.

In the Neighborhood Newsletter, Gwinnett County is alerting residents to this year's invasion. According to the newsletter, these critters have not been killed by the cold this year, probably because there really hasn't been any. Instead they've been left crawling around looking for a place warm enough to live.

They will enter through cracks and look for a warm place on the sunny side of homes. However, once inside, they die within about 24 hours because they can't survive in dry air.

Officials are advising that the best way to combat the ladybugs is to keep them outside by adding caulking and weather stripping to homes.

According to eHow, Asian ladybugs were imported to Georgia to control the aphid populations on pecan trees. They cost less and are healthier than pesticides. However, they can cause a problem for homeowners when they do find a way to get inside during the winter. If they have managed to do that, experts suggest the homeowner vacuum them up with a handheld vacuum cleaner and deposit them back outside - preferable as far away from the home as possible.

Another suggestion if you don't have a handheld vacuum cleaner is to secure the toe of a pair of nylon stockings over the vacuum's hose and suck them into the stocking. They can then be returned to the outdoors by emptying the stocking outside when done.

Treat them gently, however. After all, they are just ladybugs. And besides, they do a good job protecting Georgia's valuable pecan trees.