You may be dotty about the ladybird books but the actual ladybird is not as harmless as it seems.
Our UK shores have been invaded by a rogue ladybird. A non-indigenous ladybird called the Harlequin ladybird was introduced to the UK from Asia as a natural pest control to eat aphids on crops. It has since its arrival, spread quickly due to the lack of a natural predator in the UK and also its behaviour, preying on our own ladybird.
You may see a few here and a few there but they can infest you household as they can gather in swarms on window sills and get into your house destroying and staining your carpet, curtains and wallpaper.
If you think you may have a ladybird infestation in you house our team of experts are available for advice and recommendations. All of our area managers are BPCA qualified and experienced in dealing with all types of insect and creepy crawly problems
Distinguishing the harlequin ladybird from other British species:
- If it is less than 5 mm (1/5 inch) in length, it is definitely not a harlequin ladybird.
- If it is red with precisely 7 black spots, it is a 7-spot ladybird.
- If it has white or cream spots, it is a striped ladybird, an orange ladybird or a cream-spot ladybird.
- If it is large, burgundy coloured and has 15 black spots, it is an eyed ladybird.
- If it is black with four or six red spots, two of which are right at the front of the outside margin of the elytra it is a melanic form of the2-spot ladybird.
