About those not ladybugs

LAKE ANNE, MAY 4, 2015 -- For the past few years, swarms of ladybirds or ladybugs have gathered on warm days in October. They appear to have a mission: get into a house where they can shelter during the winter. They are very dedicated to and skilled at this mission. Walking around the house, you can look up into ceiling corners and see them clustered in their dozens and hundreds, settling in.

In the spring, they reverse this trend and head for the great out-of-doors. They aren't quite so clever at getting out as they are at getting in, so small heaps of bugs (dead and alive) and bits of bug line the walls by windows and doors.

These are not our beloved ladybirds of yesteryear--the native, nine-spotted ladybird--which has been largely eliminated by two invaders, the Asian lady beetle and the seven-spotted. The Asian lady beetle arrived in Quebec about 10 or 15 years ago and has found the place very much to its liking.

They aren't very nice, these beetles. Apart from their swarming, if you squash them, they create a dark orange stain which can be difficult to remove. They bite, not horribly but unpleasantly, if you mess with them. And they smell extremely nasty.

Sadly, there is little to be done. I talked to an exterminator last year. He shrugged, said the only answer is to vacuum them up and dispose of them out of doors.

So, each day, I do my lady beetle clean up. Each day new lady beetles arrive. Still, ever the optimist, I think I'm winning.