EDITOR'S NOTE: Digital photo available on request from spalmer@clemson.edu

DATE:     10/19/00  
WRITERS:  Dr. Eric Benson, (864) 656-7860, 
          Clemson Extension entomologist
          Dr. Clyde Gorsuch, (864) 656-5043, 
          Clemson Extension entomologist
EDITOR:   Giles Singleton, (864) 656-3876

Dealing with Halloween Beetles

     CLEMSON -- Hordes of small children trick or treating 
around homes is a welcome sight to many. But hordes of orange 
and black beetles moving into homes are not.
     Around Halloween, large numbers of lady beetles - ladybugs 
-- may be found "trick or treating" around homes and other 
buildings in South Carolina. These beetles are known as 
multicolored Asian lady beetles, but some call them Halloween 
beetles. Adding to their Halloween reputation, the beetles 
are reflex bleeders: they ooze a foul-smelling, reddish blood 
from the joints oftheir legs when they are handled or 
disturbed.
     Multicolored Asian lady beetles are oval, about 1/4 by 
3/16 inch, yellow to orange colored, with or without black 
spots. In past years, S.C. residents have reported thousands 
of these beetles congregating on outside walls, windows, 
doors, porches and decks, especially on the sunny south and 
west sides of buildings. If they get indoors they may become 
a serious nuisance.
     Adults cluster together in October and November to 
overwinter in sheltered locations. When a few adults find 
a suitable spot, they release a chemical that attracts 
other beetles to the same location. Then they all begin
to move to shelter. 
     In February and March these beetles are often seen 
again during bright, warm, sunny days when they attempt 
to get out of a sheltered spot.
     Asian lady beetles do not bite, sting or carry 
human diseases. They do not feed on wood, clothing or food. 
They do not reproduce indoors. 
     In spite of troublesome, annoying populations, these 
insects are considered very beneficial. They feed on harmful 
aphids and some scale insects associated with trees, shrubs, 
bushes, low-growing ornamentals, roses, wheat, cotton, tobacco 
and other crops.
     The best defenses against invasion by multicolored Asian 
lady beetles are preventive measures before they arrive.
     ·  Caulk or weather strip exterior cracks and other 
        openings these beetles may use to enter buildings. 
     ·  Check lap siding for large cracks and seal those 
        you find. 
     ·  Repair damaged screens on windows, doors and attic 
        vents. 
     Insecticides are not recommended, unless the temporary 
annoyance of these beetles can no longer be tolerated. 
Sprays containing insecticides for flying insects may provide 
some relief, if they are applied immediately around outdoor 
locations including windows, doors, vents and eaves after 
the first beetles appear inside the home. 
     To remove the beetles from your home, you can sweep 
them up. However, if you handle them roughly, they may bleed 
and cause a stain on anything they come in contact with. 
Vacuuming is the best method to remove them.
     It is important to vacuum the beetles as soon as possible, 
because a few can attract others. Remove the vacuum bag 
immediately after you collect the beetles. If you leave them 
in the bag, they may crawl back out or die and produce a foul 
odor after a few days. 
     Some homeowners choose to release the beetles away 
from their homes where they can overwinter in natural areas 
and benefit growers during the following spring. If you use 
a clean vacuum bag, you can store it in a sheltered area 
outside. The beetles will then emerge from the bag in the
spring and begin to feed on aphids and scale insects.
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     If you have gardening questions or comments, write to 
PSA Media Relations, A-101 Poole Agricultural Center, 
Clemson University, Clemson, S.C. 29634-0129. Find other 
Buds and Blooms columns under news releases, at:
http://www.clemson.edu/psamedia.
                            END