Asian Beetles can’t be stopped, but they’re relatively harmless

They stink and can bite, but only because
they think you might be food, but you’re not

They’re coming and there’s nothing anyone can do to stop them. Or, almost nothing.

It’s the attack of the Asian lady beetles, making their hibernation trek indoors for the next couple of weeks, estimates Jim DeBoer from DeBoer Pest Control.

And there is nothing a homeowner can effectively do to ward off the invasion, DeBoer says. Caulk all the cracks in the house, he says, and you still won’t keep them out.  That might explain why he gets flooded with calls this time of year. 

“We come before the Asian lady beetles do,” DeBoer said, “We spray the outside of the house.  We don’t stop ‘em from coming, but when they do come and try to get inside, they pile up dead outside.”

Some in Minnesota and Wisconsin are reporting the worst outbreak of the invasive beetles in years.  Although they don’t cause damage to your home, the bugs do smell bad, emit a yellow liquid that can stain, before dying. They also will bite, as they search for – and think you’re – food. Don’t worry, you’re not.

The Asian beetle was imported from China to California in 1916 and 1964, according to the University of Minnesota-Extension.

The bugs were again imported in 1978 in the South and East coast as a biological control agent to consume aphids (plant lice) on crops. They were first sighted in Minnesota and surrounding areas in November of 1994 with the first infestation around buildings in 1998.

Another bug to lookout for is the Brown Marmorated stink bug (pictured below) – not to be confused with the Boxelder bug. If you see a Brown Marmorated stink bug, the University of Wisconsin-Extension would like to know. Click here to inform it.