Tag Archives: ladybugs

Nuisance Insects

The Asian Ladybird Beetle…Friend Or Foe?

The red and black lady bug, which is indigenous to the US, is a difficult insect to find now that the Asian ladybird beetle has arrived.  Some “natural pest control” suppliers have imported Asian ladybird beetles and promoted them as a great means of pest control.  While these cute little critters do have a voracious appetite for many different types of nuisance insects, some homes in New Jersey, as well as other parts of the United States, are finding that Asian ladybird beetles themselves can also be a terrible nuisance pest.

Asian ladybird beetles typically seek out rocks, caves, and mountainsides to overwinter in.  Absent of a proper place to spend the winter months in hibernation, the little orange spotted insects turn to the only terrain that is available to them…human homes.

Asian ladybird beetles prefer certain types of structures, but any structure can suffer an invasion.  Wood siding is an attractant for the bugs as they will work their way into attics and hover closely for warmth, protection, and mating.  They don’t eat wood or cause damage, with the exception of a yellow stain that is left on a wall if the bug is squished.  Asian ladybird beetles that make it into the living quarters of the home will be foraging for food.  During this foraging activity, many homeowners report being bitten by the beetles if they handle the critters.  The bites are not harmful, just an annoyance.

Asian ladybird beetles typically gather on one or two sides of a structure.  A Monmouth County, NJ exterminator will be able to provide perimeter control to keep the little pests out.

Household Insects

Bugs I Love To Love Part 1 Of 2

In my younger years, I hated all insects, with the exception of butterflies.  Anything that ran across the floor, scurried up a wall, dangled from a ceiling, buzzed by my ear, delivered a powerful punch with its stinger, or tried to share  my dinner was enough to make me go running from the room.  As I became older and wiser, I began my quest to learn about the insects in the world we live in.  I consider myself fortunate in that I have lived in several parts of the United States and have experienced some interesting insects.  Some insects and their habits and characteristics are universal, no matter what state you live in.

There are a few insects that I find to be fascinating.  I still love butterflies because of their grace and beauty.  Here are a few more insects that I find to be interesting creatures…

Wolf Spiders – They are amazing hunters that only occasionally, and most likely accidentally, happen to come inside.  They kill off the unwanted garden pests.  Females are good Moms who not only carry around their egg sacks, but also their baby’s right after they are hatched.  I think their face is even kind of cute.

Lady Bugs – They are small, which is always a good thing, and colorful.  Despite their tiny size, they too are ferocious garden hunters.  They have no desire to come indoors and hardly ever do.  They are hardly ever considered a pest unless a building happens to be covered in them.

Please check back on Monday for the conclusion.

Ants, Bees & Wasps, Biting Insects, Commercial Pest Control, Home Pest Control, Household Insects, Insects, News, Nuisance Insects, Problem Insects, Termites, Wood Destroying Insects

Scientists Believe Global Warning Has Brought An Increase In Plant Eating Insects

The summer of 2011 brought about numerous complaints by New Jersey residents to many pest control companies throughout New Jersey about an increase of insects eating more than their normal share of a variety of outdoor plants.  Notwithstanding the voracious appetite of the pesky stink bugs that have taken over the eastern seaboard in recent years, and have damaged farmer’s crops and homeowners gardens, many residents have noticed an increase of other plant-eating insects in their gardens.  Many home gardens that were normally bursting with fruits and vegetables were hit hard by unwelcome invaders this past year report NJ pest control professionals.

Through extensive research, it is the belief of some scientists that the continuing warming of the earth is contributing to the increase in plant-eating insects.  Researchers do not believe that the plants have become tastier to insects, but they do believe that insects have a greater appetite and have become more destructive in recent years.  Planetsave reported back on February 11, 2008 that scientists from Pennsylvania State University and the Smithsonian Institution believe that “when temperature increases, the diversity of insect feeding damage on plant species also increases.”  Additionally, the study’s lead author and researcher said “our study convincingly shows that there is a link between temperature and insect feeding on leaves.” You may read the article here.

Keeping the interior and exterior of your home free from all types of unwelcome pests is easy when you hire a New Jersey pest control expert.  Allison Pest Control will be able to blanket your property with a barrier pest control treatment to keep unwanted pests out so that your gardens will grow as expected.  We provide fast and professional service to residences and businesses in Monmouth, Ocean and Middlesex Counties, New Jersey.  Call us today for a free estimate and pest evaluation.

Commercial Pest Control, Home Pest Control, Household Insects, Insects, Nuisance Insects, Problem Insects, Termites, Wood Destroying Insects

NJ Pest Control Experts Welcome Spring…And Insects!

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Humans are not the only creatures that are anxious to say good-bye to the frosty temperatures and snow covered grounds of New Jersey.  The cold winter weather is great for keeping unwanted pests away…at least that is what Mother Nature would like us to think!  NJ pest control experts report that some insects die off with the onset of winter, some go deep underground where they can escape the harsh New Jersey temperatures, and some pests seek shelter inside NJ homes, waiting for the first sign of spring to make a run back outdoors.

Warmer springtime weather is the trigger for the swift reproduction of many insect species throughout New Jersey.  NJ pest control experts warn residents to be on the look-out for the Eastern Subterranean Termite. Once termite colonies have reached full capacity, termite swarmers will venture to the surface from their underground nests to pair off and form new satellite colonies.  NJ residents may notice pools of swarming termites in grassy areas, alongside pavement or near the building foundation during the months of March through May.  Swarming termites are a sign of a serious termite infestation which requires the expert services of a New Jersey pest control professional.

NJ pest control experts say that other insects will also become troublesome for NJ residents as the springtime weather arrives.  Look for an increase in stink bugs, cockroaches, houseflies, bed bugs, wasps, bees, fleas, ticks, earwigs, crickets, lady bugs, spiders, mosquitos, and ants (all types).

Allison Pest Control is ready to meet your pest control needs head on.  Each of our technicians is certified by the State of New Jersey and has current applicator license.  For expert NJ pest control services in Monmouth County, Ocean County, are parts of Middlesex County, contact Allison Pest Control.

Cockroaches, Commercial Pest Control, Home Pest Control, Household Insects, Insect Identification, Insects, Nuisance Insects

Lady Bug, Lady Bug…Oh So Many Lady Bugs! Part II Of II

Continuing from Monday…

Even though ladybugs as a whole are considered to be a beneficial insect, there are two types of ladybugs that will cause serious damage to your landscaping and vegetation.  The Mexican bean beetle and the squash beetle are both pests that you want to avoid.  The Mexican bean beetle is easy to spot as it has an orange body with eight distinct spots on each wing cover.  The squash beetle is also orange, and has seven spots over each wing.  The larvae of these two types of ladybugs are equally as damaging as the adult insect.  They will chomp their way through a variety of plant substances.  The Asian lady beetle can be very problematic if it invades the interior of your home.  These nuisance bugs can ruin carpets, rugs and furniture with their secretions.

You will find ladybugs gathering around doorways, windows, screens, and vents this time of year.  They will climb your exterior walls by the hundreds, looking for a way to gain entrance.  New Jersey residents are wondering why these tiny creatures are suddenly making their presence known.  The simple fact is that like many other types of insects, ladybugs are looking for a warm spot to spend the winter.  The good news is that ladybugs, don’t nest inside of your home, nor do they contaminate food supplies like other types of household pests…ie, cockroaches.  Ladybugs don’t suck your blood, like the dreaded bed bug does either.  They are however annoying when you have bunches of them hanging out on walls, ceilings, curtains, or flying from place to place.

Although most ladybug species are beneficial insects to have in your garden area, once their yearly invasion into the homes of New Jersey residents begin, it can be a difficult one to deal with. Allison Pest Control can stop the ladybug brigade from overwintering in your attic, under siding, and wall void of your New Jersey home or businesses.  We will happily provide professional pest control treatment to the exterior perimeter of your structure so that these little speckled beetles can’t gain entry.  Give us a call today.

Bed Bugs, Cockroaches, Commercial Pest Control, Home Pest Control, Household Insects, Insect Identification, Insects, Nuisance Insects

Lady Bug, Lady Bug…Oh So Many Lady Bugs! Part I Of II

As the weather begins to turn from warm and muggy to cool fall temperatures, many New Jersey residents are shocked by the amount of ladybugs that are swarming around their homes and area businesses.  The tiny oblong speckled beetles are not considered to be a bad type of insect like a cockroach or a bed bug though.  They instead are categorized with other “good” bugs like butterflies and praying mantis.

Ladybugs are also known as ladybird beetles and lady beetles. Ladybugs are actually considered to be a beneficial insect, especially to farmers.  They have a ferocious appetite for several plant eating pests, especially aphids and other sap feeders.  A single ladybug will eat approximately 5,000 aphids in its lifetime.  Ladybugs don’t have many natural predators, presumably because their brightly colored exterior is a sign to would be eaters that they taste bad.  Additionally, lady bugs also secrete a fluid from the joints in their legs that tastes foul to keep predators away.

Many ladybug species have been brought to the United States as a means of natural agricultural pest control.  You can find ladybugs in a variety of colors such as pink, red, orange, yellow, and black.  They are usually sporting their trademark spots on their back, which also helps deter predators away.  At this time of year, many New Jersey residents confuse a ladybug with a nymph stink bug because of their similar appearance.

During the summertime, female ladybugs will lay their eggs in clusters in an area that is a good feeding source for their larvae.  Once the ladybug larvae hatch, they too become immediate predators to aphids, mealy bugs, scales, insect eggs, small larvae, etc.  A ladybug can live up to three years in the wild.  Some species of ladybugs even eat pollen.