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10-13-2006

NUISANCE LADY BEETLES PLAGUE WEST VIRGINIA HOMEOWNERS

The West Virginia Department of Agriculture has never released Asian lady beetle and is no way responsible for the hordes of insects that have been plaguing many West Virginia homes, according to Commissioner of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass.

Also known as the “Halloween” or “Japanese” lady beetle, the first established population of this insect was discovered in Louisiana in 1988. Since that time, the beetle has increased its distribution to include most areas of the United States and parts of southern Canada. It was first reported in West Virginia in 1992.

“Although several states attempted to release and establish the beetle as a biological control agent for fruit and nut tree pests most of these release attempts were considered failures and it remains unclear exactly how the beetles entered the country. No such releases have ever been attempted in West Virginia, and their movement here was part of a natural expansion from other states,” said Commissioner Douglass.

“My office has received numerous calls and e-mails over the past few days asking us to do something, but there is little that can be done on a wide-scale basis. At present, control remains limited to those tactics that prevent the beetles from entering the home during fall.”

Commissioner Douglass noted that he has approached the U. S. Department of Agriculture about the complaints he has received over the years, but little progress has been made in finding a more effective control method for these insects.

For limited Asian lady beetle control, in and around the home, consider the following tactics:

• SummerMonths: Seal all logical entry points on the exterior of the home with caulking, weather-stripping, screens, etc. Concentrate around doors and windows, under eaves, around foundation, attic vents, seams in siding, or where pipes and wires enter the structure. This practice is often easier said than done, but at present, is the only reliable long-term solution. Seal interior entry points to individual rooms. Concentrate around windows, vents, light fixtures, electrical outlets, etc.
  
• Early/Mid-October : Consider treating the exterior of the home (at logical entry points) with an insecticide labeled for “structure-invading” insect pests (e.g. Bayer Advanced Home Pest Control, Ortho Bug-B-Gone, Ortho Home Defense, Spectracide Bug Stop, Suspend, Tempo) or look for products with these active ingredients: Bifenthrin, Cyfluthrin, Deltamethrin, Esfenvalerate, or Tralomethrin. Follow labeled directions. This treatment works best if performed just before beetles arrive.
  
• WinterMonths: Periodically remove individual beetles in the living portions of the home with a vacuum cleaner. Empty and dispose of vacuum cleaner contents after each session. Place sticky boards or fly paper near select lights to attract and capture active beetles. Insecticide treatments are of little value at this time.
  

The West Virginia Department of Agriculture protects plant, animal and human health through a variety of scientific, regulatory and consumer protection programs, as mandated by state law. The Commissioner of Agriculture is one of six statewide elected officials in West Virginia. Currently, Commissioner Gus R. Douglass is the longest-serving agriculture commissioner in the nation. For more information, visit www.wvagriculture.org.

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