Asian lady beetles invade West Tenn. homes
JACKSON, Tenn. — Many West Tennessee residents have found themselves in a bug fight. Local experts say what most of us call lady bugs are also known as Asian lady beetles, and they’re trying to get into homes. “Overall they’re very beneficial when they’re needed, but in the fall they’re not too beneficial when they get in your house,” Jackson resident Jerry Howell said. “They’re coming through the little openings in the windows,” resident Jeff Caurghron. “If there’s like any little spot they can go through, they’ll find it.” Experts say along with the crop harvest, the pestering problem is a sign of the season. “That is driven mostly by the change in temperature,” UT Ag Extension Agent for Madison County Celeste Scott told WBBJ. “They’re trying to find somewhere to go for the winter to stay warm, and that’s why they’re driven indoors mostly.” Experts said you’ll probably find most of the insects trying to get in your house through your window sills or doors, but they say they’re harmless and to just brush them away. “The best way really to take care of them is going to be to vacuum them up,” Scott said. “I would avoid pesticides application because, like I said, they are beneficial and you do not want to reduce the number of beneficial insects that you have.” So for now, residents say they’re doing whatever they can to keep them out.
