Multicolored Asian lady beetles were introduced into this country as a biological control to protect crops from pests like soybean and pecan aphids. Others snuck into the country with nursery stock from overseas. They’ve now spread to every part of the United States and are here to stay.
Unlike Japanese Beetles that serve no purpose whatsoever in the garden, Asian lady beetles feed on aphids and other insects that attack plants, trees and shrubs. Unfortunately, in the fall and early winter the beetles can become a nuisance when they start looking for winter shelter. I’ve never had a big infestation of them, however some always manage to sneak into our screen porch no matter how much caulking and weather stripping we use.
To defend themselves, the beetles secrete a foul-smelling yellow fluid from their leg joints that can stain carpets or walls. If you try to squish them or pick them up, you’ll most likely experience the unpleasant odor. I’ve also found that if you vacuum them up, that odor can stay in your vacuum cleaner for weeks.
The beetles don’t bite, but they will nip your skin. It’s more creepy than painful, and it’s certainly not as disturbing as this:
I’m reading a book right now about how animals survive winter. It’s called Winter World