If you’ve found a small, orange-red beetles in your home or car, it’s not a ladybug. The multicolored Asian Lady Beetle is another invasive specie that comes around this time of year.
MSU extension’s Mike Reinke tells us they’re just trying to find somewhere to stay warm during the winter.
“Ironically enough, the multicolored Asian leaded beetle is from the same basic area of the world originally as the brown marmorated stink bug, so that it has the same basic habits. It wants to try to find that cliff side or that steep hill to sneak into those rocky crevices to hide out until the cold is done and they can come back out.”
Around this time of year, the beetle gravitates towards sunlight, and explains why you may find them on reflective windows or house siding. Unlike the native ladybug, the Asian Lady Beetle does bite and create a foul defensive smell when smashed.
“Most people when they think they’re being bit, they’re really actually feeling the little minute claws on the beetles as they’re trying to crawl on you. But they can bite a little bit. It’s not harmful. It’s a little annoying. But very, very few people have allergic reactions to lady beetles.”
Reinke says the best plan to get rid of them is to sweep them up and throw them outside. You can also you a vacuum or even put them in the freezer to kill them off.
