Has anyone else had these little suckers infect their entire house? This hack has been a game changer
Georgia Lynn
Contributing Writer
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Asian lady beetles, often mistaken for harmless ladybugs, can become a nuisance when they invade homes in large numbers. Known for their tendency to swarm indoors as the weather cools in search of a warm place to overwinter, these beetles can be particularly troublesome due to their habit of secreting a yellowish fluid that leaves stains and can cause allergic reactions in some people.
While chemical insecticides are an option, many homeowners prefer safer, more environmentally friendly methods to address this issue without harming the beneficial qualities these beetles offer in garden settings. The following article talks about a simple and effective DIY approach involving a homemade trap.
DIY Asian Lady Beetle Trap
Materials:
Warm water
Sugar
Dish soap
A shallow dish or bowl
Spoon
Paper or soft cloth (optional, for cleanup)
Instructions:
Prepare the Solution:
Fill the shallow dish or bowl with warm water. You’ll need enough water to fill the dish about halfway.
Add about two tablespoons of sugar to the warm water and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. The sugar acts as bait, attracting the beetles with its sweetness.
Add a few drops of dish soap to the sugar water solution and gently mix. The dish soap breaks the surface tension of the water, causing the beetles to sink and drown upon contact.
Set the Trap:
Place the dish in an area where you frequently see the beetles, such as a windowsill, near doorways, or other entry points. The beetles are attracted to warm, sunny spots, especially during cooler months.
Check the dish regularly, at least once a day, to see if any beetles have been caught.
Maintenance:
Dispose of the dead beetles and replace the solution as needed. It may get dusty or lose its effectiveness after a few days, so refreshing your trap can maintain its efficiency.
Clean the area around the trap with a paper or soft cloth if necessary to remove any dead beetles or spilled solution.
Prevent Future Infestations:
Seal cracks around windows, doors, and other entry points to prevent new beetles from entering.
Use weather stripping and caulk to close gaps and keep your home tightly sealed.
This trap is safe for use around pets and children, as it does not involve any toxic chemicals. However, it’s essential to place the trap away from areas where pets might drink the water or children might reach it. Adjusting the amount of sugar and water or the placement of the dish might be necessary based on the effectiveness and beetle activity in your home.
How Does This Work?
The DIY solution for trapping Asian lady beetles using warm water, sugar, and dish soap is effective due to several key reasons:
Attraction to Sweetness:
Sugar is used as a bait in the solution because of its sweetness. Asian lady beetles, like many insects, are attracted to sweet substances. The sugar dissolved in water emits a faintly sweet aroma that draws the beetles towards the trap.
Surface Tension Reduction:
The addition of dish soap to the sugar water solution is crucial because it reduces the water’s surface tension. Normally, insects like these beetles can land on water without sinking due to water’s high surface tension. When dish soap is added, it decreases the water’s ability to support the weight of the beetles. As a result, instead of landing and taking off again, the beetles sink and drown when they attempt to land on the water surface.
Placement Strategy:
Placing the trap in strategic locations where beetles are commonly seen (such as windowsills or near doors) increases the chances that they will encounter the trap during their natural movements inside a home, especially in areas that receive ample sunlight or heat which attracts these beetles.