Multicolored Asian lady beetles are an annoying pest and can be a common problem inside homes every fall, winter, and spring. Now with the colder weather upon us, we can be better prepared for dealing with the beetles as they enter our homes.
Like the name implies, multicolored Asian lady beetles are a non-native species of lady beetle, or ladybug, that first established populations in the US in 1988. Since then, they have spread across the country and are now an annual problem here in Nebraska. Related to our native lady beetles, multicolored Asian lady beetles will move into homes and other structures for winter, while most of the other lady beetles overwinter outside.
In Nebraska, these beetles begin their overwintering behavior around the end of September/ beginning of October, when cold nights are followed by warm, sunny days. In their native range, multicolored Asian lady beetles will overwinter on vertical rock faces in the mountains. With Nebraska’s lack of mountains, they instead look for any vertical surface that is light-colored. They are attracted to the sides of buildings that receive afternoon sun and can be seen congregating on homes, sheds, or garages to look for a good, warm spot to survive the winter. During this time, they may also enter homes.
