How to Get Rid of Ladybugs

Seeing a ladybug is often considered good luck, but if too many get into your home, they can quickly become a problem. They reproduce fast, and without proper control, they may be hard to get rid of. If the infestation gets too big, calling a trusted pest control company like Terminix or Orkin is the best solution.

This guide will walk you through safe and effective ways to remove ladybugs from your home. We’ll also explain how they enter, where they hide and reproduce, and how to guide them back outdoors, where they can benefit your garden.

Key Takeaways

Ladybugs are small, harmless insects that don’t pose a threat to your home garden, but some homeowners may be allergic to ladybugs.
Ladybugs find their way inside to try to stay warm during the winter months, congregating around windows and in dark places.
The most effective way to remove ladybugs is to sweep them up with a dust pan or vacuum them and then deposit them outside.

What Are the Signs of a Ladybug Infestation?

Finding one or two ladybugs indoors isn’t a big deal, but if you start noticing certain signs, you may have an infestation. Here’s what to watch for:

Large groups – If you see swarms of ladybugs gathering inside, it’s a clear sign of an infestation.
Strong odor – Ladybugs release a yellow defensive liquid called hemolymph, which has a metallic or acidic smell.
Yellow stains – Hemolymph can stain walls, windows, and furniture, especially on sunlit surfaces like south-facing walls.
Increased indoor activity – If you notice more ladybugs moving around in late winter or early spring, they may have been hibernating inside your home.
Entry points near windows and doors – Clusters of ladybugs often gather near windows, door frames, and attic spaces where they squeeze through small openings.

If you spot multiple signs, taking action early can help prevent a full-blown infestation.

Are Ladybugs Bad?

Ladybugs are considered a benefit to the environment. Farmers count on large colonies to fight aphids naturally because aphids damage crops. Ladybugs may lay their eggs near the aphid larvae so that young ladybugs can feast as soon as they’re born, thereby cutting the aphid population in a vegetable or flower garden.

There are thousands of lady beetle species, and they are generally considered “good bugs”—insects that are helpful to your garden.

Beetles That Look Similar to Ladybugs

However, a few species or insects that look very similar to ladybugs, such as the Mexican bean beetle, will feast on your plants instead of your plant pests. If you spot a non-spotted red beetle eating all the leaves in your garden, you may have a Japanese beetle issue instead.

Are Ladybugs Harmful?

Ladybugs do not typically bite humans, but they can lightly bite or pinch if they feel threatened. Some people experience allergic reactions to these small attacks, including a rash, welts, sneezing, or itchy eyes. One ladybug can also lay up to 1,000 eggs in its lifetime, making it easy for them to multiply in your home over time.

Luckily, they do not present any threat to the wood or fabric in your home, unlike termites or moths.

Why Are There Ladybugs in Your Home?

Ladybug colonies traditionally cluster in your home in the colder months to find a place to weather the winter. They can even emit trails of pheromones to attract other ladybugs to take shelter in their newly found spot. Ladybugs will find a warm, dark, and protected area to lay eggs in the fall before winter comes.

How Ladybugs Get In Your Home and Why They Stay

Ladybugs may creep in through windows, under doors, throughout basements, and in drainage pipes. You’ll typically find ladybug colonies appear in corners of rooms or windows for this reason.

Quick Tip

Ladybugs can also travel inside via houseplants, especially those that you transfer from the outdoor porch to the living room before the winter. Once they’re inside, they may use their chemical secretions to attract the rest of a colony. Inspect plants carefully before bringing them indoors to avoid introducing pests into your home.

Ladybug Lifespan

Ladybugs typically live for an average of one year—making them tricky to keep up with if they’re settling in for the season. During this time, they will lay hundreds of eggs and multiply quite quickly if not contained.

How To Get Rid of Ladybugs

While ladybugs aren’t harmful to your home, you’ll want to prevent them from settling in. Here are the best ways to remove or deter them effectively.

Physical Removal Methods

Sweeping & Vacuuming – Use a broom, dustpan, or vacuum to remove ladybugs. Empty the vacuum bag outside immediately to prevent them from returning. After removal, wash the area with soap to erase their scent trails.
Duct Tape Trick – Wrap duct tape around your hand (sticky side out) to gently lift and relocate ladybugs. You can also leave strips of strong duct tape as a simple trap.
Light Trap – Create a homemade trap using a plastic bottle and an LED light. Ladybugs are drawn to the light and will fall into the trap for easy relocation. For a ready-made solution, try the Zevo Flying Insect Trap, which uses blue and UV light to attract and capture them.

DIY Repellents & Barriers

Dish Soap Spray – Mix dish soap and water in a spray bottle to trap and suffocate ladybugs. You can also leave a shallow bowl of soapy water near light sources where they gather.
Diatomaceous Earth – Sprinkle this natural, non-toxic powder around windows, doors, and other entry points. It dehydrates and kills insects while also acting as a deterrent.
Mums (Chrysanthemums) – Plant mums around your home and porch in the fall. Ladybugs hate their scent and will avoid the area.

Natural Repellents

Ladybugs dislike certain strong scents. Use these natural deterrents by placing them near windows, doors, and known entry points – or use an oil diffuser which can dissuade ladybugs from the vicinity.

Bay leaves – Crushed bay leaves release a scent that repels ladybugs. Place them near windows, doors, and in pantries.
Clove or clove oil – The strong, spicy aroma of clove works as a natural insect repellent. Clove oil can be mixed with water and sprayed on entry points.
Citronella – This common mosquito repellent also works against ladybugs. Burning citronella candles near doors and windows can help keep them out.
Lavender oil – Lavender’s floral scent is pleasant to humans but repels many insects, including ladybugs. A few drops in a spray bottle with water can be used around the home.
Lemon or orange oil – Citrus oils contain natural insect-repelling properties. Wipe down windowsills and door frames with a citrus oil solution to create a barrier.

Chemical Repellents & Insecticides

Ladybug Sprays – Store-bought insecticides and repellents can help keep ladybugs from entering or lingering inside.
Multi-Insect Traps – Many fly traps also work on ladybugs, capturing and eliminating them efficiently.

By combining these methods, you can safely remove ladybugs from your home and prevent future infestations.

If you’re interested in how to get rid of other common pests, read the following guides:

How To Prevent Ladybugs From Getting in Your House

Ladybugs commonly enter homes through small openings such as foundation cracks, gaps in siding, or holes in window screens. The best way to keep ladybugs out of your home is to ensure these openings are sealed.

We recommend doing an exterior home inspection in early spring to find and fill these openings. Look for the following common pest entry points:

Gaps between or below doors
Gaps or openings in crawl spaces
Gaps or openings in siding
Quarter-inch or larger cracks in your foundation
Tears or holes in window or door screens
Unsealed cable holes or utility lines
Unscreened dryer or exhaust vents

Most exterior cracks, gaps, or holes can be sealed with water-proof silicone caulk. Expanding foam can be used to seal larger openings, such as wall recesses. Home improvement stores sell replacement rolls for window and door screens. Installing a mesh dryer vent cap is the best method for keeping pests out of dryer vents.

Recommended Providers for Ladybug Control

Pest control is often best left to the professionals, especially if you’re uncertain how far your infestation extends. Ladybugs can hide in walls, crevices, and other small spaces too difficult to scope out on your own. We’ve analyzed the country’s best pest control companies that know how to get rid of ladybugs in your home or garden and keep them away at a reasonable cost. Terminix and Orkin provide comprehensive pest management services both to diagnose and treat your pest issue.

Pest Control	Terminix	Orkin
Availability	47 states	47 states
Best for	Best Overall	Urgent Service
Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating	A+	A+

Conclusion

Ladybugs are a mostly harmless nuisance pest that can find their way inside in an attempt to keep warm during the fall and winter. Ladybug infestations are uncommon but can occur under specific circumstances. We recommend gently sweeping up ladybugs with a dustpan and depositing them outside.

If you experience frequent ladybug infestations, there’s likely an opening that they’re using to get inside. Most pests gain access to the home through small cracks and gaps in foundations or walls. A pest control company can help you address an infestation by eliminating pests and finding and sealing entry points.

FAQ About Ladybugs

Why is my house full of ladybugs?

If your house is full of ladybugs, it could mean they’re setting up a colony for the colder months ahead. They may have come in with your plants or through windows or cracks and openings throughout your home’s structure. Ladybugs reproduce quickly and in large numbers, so a few visitors may have turned into many in just a few weeks.

How do you kill ladybugs?

You can kill ladybug populations with either natural or chemical-based products. Use natural approaches like diatomaceous earth, soapy water, essential oils, or one of the popular store-bought pesticides that kill ladybugs by leaving layers of dried poison around their nests.

Is it bad to have ladybugs in your house?

While it isn’t bad to have ladybugs in your home, they can become an issue when they multiply and set up colonies for the year. Though ladybugs cannot damage the structure of your home, you could end up with a large number of the bugs in little time if not properly managed.

What is the fastest way to get rid of ladybugs?

The fastest way to get rid of ladybugs is by grabbing your vacuum and gathering up the nest of ladybugs. Empty the vacuum bag outside away from your home so they can set up a new nest outside. Clean the area where the ladybugs gathered to eliminate the scent trails left behind to attract more ladybugs and take preventative measures like winterizing your home and planting mums around its perimeter to keep them from coming back.