Springtail

Springtail crawling on a bed's comforter

Springtails in Georgia

Though springtails vary in size and shape, they all feature a furcula, an appendage tucked under their abdomen. When threatened, they release this furcula, allowing them to spring away from danger. These tiny insects can sometimes invade homes, with basements, bathrooms, and kitchens being common areas. They are often attracted to moisture and organic matter. Reports of swarms of tiny, dark jumping bugs are often attributed to springtails.

 

Springtail Habitat

Homeowners may notice springtails in large quantities in moist indoor spaces, such as kitchen sinks, bathtubs, or the soil of houseplants. These insects are attracted to areas with high humidity. They can also be found outdoors in pools, landscaped areas, vegetable gardens, and mud puddles. While they are most prevalent in spring and early summer, they can be found year-round in moist locations. Springtail infestations often occur in areas with moisture, organic debris, and mold.

 

Springtail Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

Springtails are often mistaken for fleas because they jump when disturbed, but unlike fleas, they don’t bite humans or pets, and they don’t spread disease or damage furniture. Mainly a nuisance pest, springtails can be problematic in newly constructed buildings due to the moisture in building materials. Once the building dries, the springtails typically die off or leave. They can also be a nuisance around swimming pools, where they may fall in and drown in large numbers, creating a mess on the surface. Fortunately, they can be easily removed without concern.

When dealing with springtails, it’s best to contact your local flea, tick, and mite professionals.

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Sawtoothed Grain Beetle

Sawtoothed grain beetle identification  - Active Pest Control

Sawtoothed Grain Beetles in Georgia

Adult Sawtoothed Grain Beetles are small, red to brown colored beetles ranging from 0.25-0.3 cm in length. Identification can be aided by looking at the thorax (second section of an insect right behind the head) of the beetle. They have small projections coming off either side of their thorax in a row. They have a wide variety of stored goods that they infest; many are the same goods that Indian Meal Moths frequent. Oatmeal, seeds, chocolate, dog food, bird seed, cereal, and so forth all fall prey to these beetles.

Sawtoothed Grain Beetle Habitat

Adults are mostly found indoors inside of stored goods in the pantry, storage closets, granaries, etc. The most common location to see them is in the kitchen inside whatever they are using as a food source. Sawtoothed grain beetles are commonly found in food manufacturing, storage, and retail facilities, as well as pantries in homes. A typical discovery of a sawtoothed grain beetle infestation occurs when adult beetles are discovered crawling around a pantry area.

Sawtoothed Grain Beetle Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

Their small size allows them access into all sorts of stored goods. They either gain access through small holes or imperfections in the packaging or they wait until the item has been opened and then make their way inside. Their feeding can decrease the value of the product, make it unfit for use, and even encourage fungi and bacteria growth where they damage different goods.

If you have sawtoothed grain beetles in your Georgia property, contact your local pantry pest control experts for help.

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Indian Meal Moth

Indian meal moth identification  - Active Pest Control

Indian Meal Moths in Georgia

Adult Indian Meal Moths have dual coloration on their wings. The front half of their wings (closest to their head) is white, light gray, or cream-colored. The back half of their wings is a rusty red, copper, gray, or brown color, usually with gray or black banding. The head and thorax (second body segment of an insect) also have a coppery appearance. The adults are close to 0.5-0.6 inches long which is roughly the size of mature larvae (juveniles). The larvae are yellow or cream-colored with a dark red or brown colored head. The adults, pupae, and eggs of Indian Meal Moths do not feed. The larvae are the pests. The larvae feed on the stored products in which they live. However, this is not what makes them a pest! It is their other activities that can make them a nuisance.

Indian Meal Moth Habitat

Larval Indian Meal Moths are mostly found indoors inside stored goods in the pantry, storage closets, granaries, etc. They have a wide variety of stored goods that they infest, such as oatmeal, dried fruit, seeds, flour, dog food, birdseed, spices, grains, and so forth. The adults can be seen flying around the pantry or home looking for a place to lay their eggs. The adults are attracted to light and may be seen in rooms that have nothing to do with the infestation. The pupae (resting stage between larvae and adult) can be found in locations all around the home since the larvae can migrate before they begin to pupate.

Indian Meal Moth Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

As the larvae crawl through and feed on stored products they spin silk. This silk traps frass (poop), shed exoskeletons (insect skin that must be shed in order to grow), and empty egg cases. This matted mess of silk and debris is what causes these insects to be such pests. They contaminate way more food than they ever actually consume. Indian Meal Moths in the pupal stage can also be considered pests because they can travel to different areas of the home and can be confused with other pests, like clothes moths.

If an infestation is present in your Georgia home, locate and discard all infested material. Contact your local pantry pest control experts for help or advice with Indian meal moths!

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Clothes Moth

Clothes moth identification  - Active Pest Control

Clothes Moths in Georgia

Adult Clothes Moths have an iridescent-looking coloration on their wings. The wings of the webbing clothes moth are a golden or yellow color with bright red or orange hairs on the top of their head. The wings end in little tufts of golden hair. The wings of the casemaking clothes moth resemble those of the webbing clothes moth, but their wings are a brown or tan color with dark spots scattered about. Both of these moths are around a quarter of an inch long (0.25 in), though the webbing moths are slightly larger than their clothing counterparts. The larvae (juveniles) are yellow or cream-colored with a dark red or brown colored head. These moths can even be found in vents and ductwork where the larvae feast upon lint, hair, and other debris that is trapped inside. Clothes Moths are not attracted to light, unlike many other moths.

Clothes Moth Habitat

Clothes Moths live in areas where they have a food source readily available. They can be in closets, boxes, chests, dressers, taxidermy displays, etc. Indoors, clothes moth larvae are frequently noted on woolen clothes, carpets, upholstered furniture, and old wool rug remnants in the attic. Lint from wool rugs and pet hair behind baseboards and in flooring cracks all serve to invite moth infestations. A favorite egg-laying site is a carpet under the rear legs of a sofa, a spot rarely reached by a vacuum cleaner. The adults, pupae, and eggs of Clothes Moths do not feed. The larvae are the pests. The larvae feed on wool, feathers, hair, leather, fish meal, lint, carpet, animal products, and other such materials. Common items that are fed on include, but are not limited to: scarfs, jackets/coats, toys, rugs, blankets, sweaters, taxidermy displays, and upholstered furniture.

Clothes Moth Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

The larvae do damage as they feed on any of the items listed above. The larvae of the casemaking clothes moth drags a silk cocoon around as they feed, increasing the cocoon size as they increase in size. This can make them even harder to locate because the cocoon is made from whatever material they are feeding on, which gives them the perfect camouflage they need to feast undetected.

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Deer Fly

Deer fly identification and information  - Active Pest Control

Deer Flies in Georgia

Deer flies are usually green, brown, or yellow in color with stripes on the abdomen (back section of an insect). Their wings usually possess black spots or other blotchy patterns. Adult deer flies almost have a triangular shape compared to the bigger, more robust-looking horse flies. Adult female deer flies feed on mammal blood, though a couple of species do feed on nectar. Adult males feed primarily on nectar. The larvae of tabanids can be aquatic (water-dwelling), terrestrial (land-dwelling), or semi-aquatic (mixture of water and land-dwelling).

Deer Fly Habitat

Deer flies can be found near aquatic habitats that support larval development. Most deer flies are found in brushy or low-lying pasture areas near creeks, streams, or tanks that provide damp soils in which the immature stages develop. While they don’t typically enter buildings, deer flies can accidentally wander indoors from time to time. Houses or hotels with swimming pools could have more issues with the pest because shiny surfaces and quick movements attract deer flies to people.

Deer Fly Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

These insects are major biting pests. Since the females feed on blood and are active during the day, it is not uncommon for humans to encounter an attack. The bite often results in visible bleeding wounds and general first aid-type skin creams may help to relieve the pain from bites. In rare instances, there may be allergic reactions involving hives and wheezing. There is evidence that a deer fly in the western U.S. is involved in the transmission of a bacterium that causes the disease tularemia, which is known as deer fly fever and rabbit fever. These flies are significant livestock pests with their painful and persistent biting behavior. Always contact your local fly exterminator for help with deer flies.

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Horse Fly

Horse fly identification and information  - Active Pest Control

Horse Flies in Georgia

Horse flies are large, heavy-bodied insects that are persistent pests of wildlife, livestock, and humans. Their blood-sucking habits also raise concerns about the possible transmission of disease agents. They are notorious pests of horses, mules, cattle, hogs, dogs, and other mammals, including humans.

Horse Fly Habitat

Horse flies can be found near aquatic habitats that support larval development. Most horse flies are found in brushy or low-lying pasture areas near creeks, streams, or tanks that provide damp soils in which the immature stages develop. Natural environments include freshwater wetlands, saltwater marshes, and open areas within forests. They survive by burrowing down into the sand or gravel substrate of the water body they inhabit.

Horse Fly Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

Female horse flies can and will bite people, and the painful bites may occur on any part of the body. The bite often results in visible bleeding wounds and general first aid-type skin creams may help to relieve the pain from bites. In rare instances, there may be allergic reactions involving hives and wheezing. These flies are significant livestock pests with their painful and persistent biting behavior. Heavy attacks can lead to reductions in weight gains of beef cattle, and reduced milk yield in dairy cattle. If you are dealing with a horse fly issue on your property, contact your local fly exterminators.

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Crane Fly

Crane fly identification  - Active Pest Control

Crane Flies in Georgia

Crane fly adults can vary in color, but most are tan, brown, or gray in color. They possess long legs and halteres (flight stabilizers that look like small maracas underneath the wings). Due to their size and shape, many people may confuse them with mosquitoes, thinking they have some sort of giant mosquito present. Usually, crane flies can be differentiated from mosquitoes by using their body size: crane flies’ bodies are usually 1 inch in length while mosquitoes do not usually get over about 0.3 inches in length. Adult crane flies feed on nectar, but many of them do not feed at all. The larvae that live in the soil will feed on grass or other plant roots; these larvae have been nicknamed leatherjackets. The aquatic larvae usually eat decaying vegetation or small invertebrates.

Crane Fly Habitat

Crane Flies live outdoors and are frequently seen on the sides of homes with their legs spread out wide. If they happen to come indoors, it is a mistake and they will not survive long. Their larvae can be either aquatic (water-dwelling) or terrestrial (land-dwelling). Larvae that are terrestrial live in the soil.

Crane Fly Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

These insects are not major home infesting pests. Usually, homeowners will confuse them with mosquitoes and that can lead to confusion and panic because the person thinks they have a giant, mutant mosquito. These insects are not harmful, as they cannot bite people. They can be a nuisance, however, especially when they find their way indoors. Crane fly larvae feed on crowns and grass blades on warm nights, damaging lawns and turf. Damage often becomes noticeable in March and April and appears as dying patches of turfgrass. If you are dealing with a crane fly problem on your property, contact your local exterminators.

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Smokybrown Cockroach

Smokybrown cockroach identification  - Active Pest Control

Smokybrown Cockroaches in Georgia

Smokybrown roaches are dark brown or black in coloration with a dark shiny area directly behind their head (pronotum). They range from 1.25-1.5 inches in length with both the males and females being capable of flight. Juvenile roaches have a color similar to the adults later in life, but they will have a white band on their back and tips of their antennae when they are in their initial juvenile stages. They will not have wings until they reach their adult stage; they also cannot reproduce until reaching adulthood. The antenna of these roaches will be roughly the length of the body and can even be longer than the body. Compared to many other roaches smokybrown roaches are relatively strong fliers; their wings are often longer than the full length of their body.

Outside they are foragers feasting mainly on decaying plant material. However, they will eat dead insects, feces, other cellulosic/starchy material, sugars, and a collection of other organic materials. Inside the home, in addition to looking for water, they feed on crumbs that are left lying around, food that has fallen under appliances, dishes stacked in the sink, and even pet food that is not properly stored or picked up at night. One reason these roaches are so common inside is their search for a water source. Just like humans, they need water to survive.

Smokeybrown Cockroach Facts and Identification

What Do Smokybrown Cockroaches Look Like?

Smokybrown cockroaches are about 1.5 inches long with a shiny, dark brown to mahogany-colored body. Both males and females have fully developed wings that extend beyond their bodies. They are uniformly colored with no distinct markings, giving them a smooth, polished appearance.

Signs of a Smokybrown Cockroach Infestation

Signs of a smokybrown cockroach infestation include spotting these large, shiny, dark brown cockroaches, particularly in moist, dark areas like attics, basements, or crawl spaces. You may also notice droppings that resemble small black specks, shed skins, or egg cases (oothecae) around infested areas. A musty odor is often present in severe infestations. Since they are nocturnal, you’re more likely to see them at night.

Habitat, Diet, Life Cycle & Behaviors

Where Do Smokybrown Cockroaches Live?

These roaches are most commonly found outside. They tend to live in leaf litter (leaf piles) and mulch around homes. Their dark color helps them stay camouflaged and protected from the untrained eye. They like damp dark locations and are commonly found in basements. They tend to be attracted to sources of water so leaking or dripping pipes and roofs, leaf piles in the gutters or on porches, heaps of wood, and trash can attract these roaches to your home. They make their way into the home under broken or missing door sweeps, through cracks or crevices, using plumbing voids, etc. Once inside they can be found all around the home, but they are seen most commonly in areas with high humidity and warm temperatures like bathrooms or laundry rooms.

Diet

Smokybrown cockroaches are omnivorous scavengers with a diet that includes decaying organic matter, such as leaves, wood, and dead insects. They also feed on human food scraps, pet food, and even paper products. Their preference for moist environments means they often consume water-damaged materials.

Life Cycle

The development time of a smokybrown cockroach from egg to adult varies greatly, depending heavily on temperature, but averages about 600 days. Females produce egg cases called oothecae, each containing around 24 eggs. After hatching, nymphs undergo gradual molting stages over about a year before reaching adulthood. Adults typically live for 6-12 months, thriving in warm, humid climates. Commonly found in the southern U.S., these roaches are known for invading homes through cracks and living in dark, moist spaces like attics and crawl spaces.

Behaviors

Since they are opportunistic insects these roaches come inside in search of food, water, or shelter. These roaches are primarily active at dusk and night when their dark coloration really helps to keep them hidden. They remain in safe, dark locations during the day before coming out to forage at night. These areas can include but are not limited to inside tree holes, under mulch, under garbage cans, under pine straw, and on the inside of gutters. Any area with a fairly high moisture content is great for their occupancy. Always contact a professional cockroach exterminator when you are dealing with an infestation.

Are Smokybrown Cockroaches Dangerous?

Smokybrown cockroaches can spread bacteria and allergens, potentially triggering asthma or allergic reactions. They contaminate food, kitchen surfaces, and other household areas. These pests are also known to carry pathogens like Salmonella, which can cause foodborne illnesses. While they do not bite or sting, their presence in homes can pose significant health risks, making prompt cockroach pest control essential.

How To Get Rid of Smokybrown Cockroaches

To get rid of roaches, we use targeted treatments like baits and insecticide sprays specifically formulated for cockroaches, concentrating on areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and under appliances where the roaches hide. Pest control experts like Active Pest Control can apply insecticides and treatments to safely remove the pests from your home, with specialist knowledge, including how to get rid of cockroaches from air vents and how to keep you, your family, and pets safe.

Smokybrown Cockroach Prevention Tips

To stop smokybrown cockroaches from entering your home, seal cracks and crevices around windows, doors, and foundations. Next, reduce moisture levels and humidity by fixing leaks and using dehumidifiers, as these roaches seek harborage in damp areas. Keep gutters clear, trim trees and shrubs away from the house, and store firewood away from the foundation. Regularly clean and declutter indoor spaces to eliminate hiding spots. If you notice persistent roach activity despite your efforts, it’s important to know when to call an exterminator for cockroaches, especially if you spot multiple roaches or signs of a large infestation. We recommend seeking professional pest control help at the very first sign of an infestation to avoid the problem escalating.

Our team of cockroach pest control experts understands how distressing an smokybrown cockroach infestation can be. We are proud to provide our Georgia community with quick, effective, and long-lasting cockroach control services year-round.

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Smokybrown Cockroach FAQs

Are Smokybrown Roaches Hard to Get Rid of?

Smokybrown cockroaches are difficult to eliminate due to their ability to hide in dark, moist areas like attics, basements, and wall voids. Their nocturnal behavior makes detection harder, and they often require a combination of baits, insecticides, and professional pest control for effective removal.

What is the Difference Between Smokybrown & American Roaches?

Smokybrown cockroaches are smaller (about 1.5 inches) with a uniformly dark, shiny brown color, while American cockroaches are larger (up to 2 inches) and reddish-brown with a yellowish marking on their thorax. Both are common types of cockroaches in Georgia, but American roaches are more common indoors.

Do Smokybrown Cockroaches Bite?

Smokybrown cockroaches rarely bite humans, and if they do, it’s typically in extreme infestations where food sources are scarce. However, bites are uncommon and generally not harmful. These pests are more of a nuisance due to their potential to spread bacteria and allergens.

Argentine Ant

Argentine ant - Active Pest Control

Argentine ants (Linepithema humile) are one of the invasive species of ants in Georgia, forming massive supercolonies that displace native species. They have a habit of leaving pheromone trails everywhere they forage, making them highly successful but stubborn pests that contaminate food and spread bacteria.

Argentine Ants in Georgia

Argentine ants are major household and garden pests in Georgia. When searching for food, they leave pheromone trails everywhere they go, instead of just from nest to food source. This habit ensures they never visit the same area twice. Workers from different colonies cooperate with each other, allowing them to form large super-colonies. Argentine ant colonies can become so large that they can take over whole city blocks! They are ranked among the most stubborn home-infesting pests, contaminating and spreading bacteria wherever they forage.

What Do Argentine Ants Look Like?

Argentine ants are relatively small, measuring about 2.2 to 2.8mm long. They have smooth, shiny bodies that range from light brown to dark brown in color. Unlike some other ant species, Argentine ants do not emit a strong odor when crushed. Worker ants are wingless, while reproductive queens and males possess wings during the mating season. Their physical characteristics make them easy to confuse with other invasive ants, such as pharaoh ants and odorous house ants, but their cooperative colony structure and foraging habits set them apart.

Signs of an Argentine Ant Infestation

Recognizing the signs of an Argentine ant infestation is critical for early intervention. Common indicators include:

  • Long, distinct trails of ants: Worker ants often form continuous trails as they forage for food, particularly near kitchens or pantries.
  • Nests in moist or warm areas: Look for nests in sun-baked soil, under rocks, at the base of trees, or in wall cracks. Indoors, nests are often located near water pipes, sinks, and potted plants.
  • Contaminated food or visible activity: Ants gathering around sugary spills, food crumbs, or trash bins are a common sign of infestation.
  • High activity near water sources: Argentine ants are attracted to moisture, so they often infest areas with leaky pipes, irrigation lines, or clogged gutters.

If these signs are present, contact Active pest control experts to deal with the current problem and prevent further infestation.

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Habitat, Diet, Life Cycle & Behaviors

Where Do Argentine Ants Live?

Argentine ants prefer to nest under sun-baked soil and may even clean the nest area of vegetation in order to warm their nests. However, they also need water. Drip irrigation lines provide a perfect source of water and can serve as superhighways for ants to form new colonies. Setting up quarters anywhere close to food, Argentine ants nest in the ground, in concrete wall cracks, and at the base of trees. When the weather gets too dry or too wet, these ants invade homes through cracks and crevices and are found near water pipes, sinks, and potted plants. Once inside, they forage for food, feeding on meat, eggs, oils, fats, and sweet items like fruit.

Diet

Argentine ants are opportunistic feeders with a diverse diet. They consume protein-rich foods like meat, eggs, and fats, as well as sweet substances such as honeydew from aphids and mealybugs. Their relationship with aphids and mealybugs is symbiotic, as they protect these insects in exchange for a steady supply of honeydew. Indoors, Argentine ants are drawn to sugary spills, ripe fruit, and food crumbs left in kitchens and pantries.

Life Cycle

The life cycle of Argentine ants consists of four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Argentine ant colonies often contain multiple queens, each capable of laying hundreds of eggs. Worker ants care for the eggs, larvae, and queens, ensuring the rapid growth and expansion of the colony. This ability to reproduce quickly allows colonies to establish interconnecting nests, forming extensive supercolonies.

Behaviours

Argentine ants are highly organized and cooperative. Unlike other species that restrict pheromone trails to specific routes, Argentine ants create expansive networks of trails, aiding in efficient foraging. They protect aphids and other insects like mealybugs to harvest honeydew, a primary food source. This behavior not only ensures their survival but also contributes to the displacement of native ant species and the disruption of local ecosystems.

Are Argentine Ants Dangerous?

Although they don’t pose any serious health threats, the sheer population size of an Argentine ant colony is enough to cause chaos in any household. Because they need water to survive, bare dirt borders near irrigation ditches can be chronically infested with ants. Most ants only deposit pheromone trails on their way back to the nest from the food source. However, Argentine ants leave behind pheromone trails to and from a food resource. This increases the chances of contaminating food sources with bacteria, especially when they invade kitchens, pantries, or areas where food is prepared.

Because colony size increases quickly, they can rapidly form interconnecting colonies that can lead to a massive infestation. Their ability to displace native ant species and other beneficial insects can disrupt local ecosystems, making them a danger to biodiversity. Additionally, their sheer numbers can compromise the structural integrity of gardens and outdoor spaces.

If an Argentine ant infestation is suspected, it is best to contact a professional ant exterminator. Professional pest control services like Active Pest Control can ensure these ants are removed effectively, minimizing health risks and preventing re-infestation.

How to Get Rid of Argentine Ants

Getting rid of Argentine ants can be challenging due to their large colonies and interconnected nests. Effective control typically involves targeted baiting systems designed to eliminate worker ants and queens, disrupting the colony’s structure. Professional ant control services like Active are often essential, as experts can assess the infestation’s extent and implement customized strategies to eradicate the ants and prevent their return.

Reducing access to food and water sources is also critical; without these essentials, the ants are less likely to thrive. While DIY methods may offer temporary relief, they rarely address the underlying colony structure, making professional intervention the most reliable solution for lasting results.

Argentine Ant Prevention Tips

Preventing Argentine ant infestations requires proactive steps to make your home less appealing to these pests. Start by sealing entry points, such as gaps around windows, doors, and utility lines, with caulk or weatherstripping. Address moisture issues by fixing leaky pipes, ensuring proper drainage, and eliminating standing water. Maintaining a clean environment is equally important—store food in airtight containers, clean spills immediately, and dispose of trash regularly.

Conducting routine property inspections can help you spot early signs of ant nests, allowing you to take swift action before the colony grows. These measures work together to reduce the risk of infestation and keep your home clean and safe.

Do You Have an Ant Infestation Problem? We Can Help.

Dealing with an Argentine ant infestation can be overwhelming, especially due to their large colonies and persistent behaviors. Fortunately, help is just a call away. At Active Pest Control, we specialize in effective ant control services designed to address even the most challenging infestations.
Our team of experts understands the unique behaviors of Argentine ants, including their tendency to form interconnected supercolonies, and uses proven methods to eliminate them. 

Whether they’ve taken over your kitchen, garden, or outdoor spaces, we’ll develop a tailored plan to reclaim your property. Don’t let these invasive pests disrupt your home—trust Active Pest Control to provide the professional solutions you need for long-term relief.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Argentine ants bite​?

Argentine ants do not bite humans but can contaminate food and surfaces as they forage, posing indirect health risks.

Do Argentine ants have wings?​

Worker ants do not have wings, but reproductive queens and males develop wings during mating season to establish new colonies.

Why are Argentine ants bad​?

Argentine ants are invasive pests that displace native ant species, contaminate food, and form massive supercolonies, leading to persistent infestations.

Are Argentine ants invasive?​

Yes, they are highly invasive and known for their ability to outcompete native species and disrupt ecosystems.

Do Argentine ants sting​?

No. Argentine ants do not sting, but their aggressive foraging habits and rapid colony expansion make them a significant nuisance. Unlike trap-jaw ants, known for their powerful mandibles, or tawny crazy ants, which can neutralize fire ant venom with formic acid, Argentine ants rely on their sheer numbers and persistent behavior to outcompete other species. Their ability to displace native ants and establish supercolonies highlights their invasive nature, making professional pest control essential for effective management.

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Asian Lady Beetle

Asian lady beetle information - Active Pest Control

Asian Lady Beetles in Georgia

The multicolored Asian lady beetle was introduced into the United States from Asia to control aphids, scale, and other crop pests from 1978 to 1981. It is now widely distributed from Mississippi to the Midwest, Southwest, and Pacific Northwest. Asian lady beetles may enter homes in large numbers and have become consistent overwintering pests in buildings and homes.

Asian Lady Beetle Habitats

This species is a voracious predator of crop pests and produces several generations per year. Their tendency to aggregate and ability to enter structures often causes this insect to become a significant structural pest. Hundreds and even thousands of these beetles have been found in and on homes. Asian lady beetles can be found in attics, wall voids, on siding, inside closets, and may be attracted to light.

Asian Lady Beetle Behaviors, Threats or Dangers

Although Asian lady beetles may bite, their bite does not seriously injure humans or spread diseases. If handled or crushed, they will emit a foul odor and leave a stain. In fall, beetles seek out crevices and protected areas around homes to spend the winter, congregating in attics, wall cavities, cracks around door frames, and within soffits and wall voids. If a large number of beetles gain access inside of homes, they can stain drapery and clothing. Asian lady beetles cannot survive sub-freezing temperatures, although they can survive within homes and buildings that provide adequate warmth and humidity. If you are dealing with an infestation, always contact your local beetle exterminators.

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