Asian Lady Beetle

Asian Lady Beetles in Florida

The multicolored Asian lady beetle (Harmonia axyridis) was introduced into the United States from Asia to control aphids, scale, and other crop pests from 1978 to 1981. They are part of the Coccinellidae family, often mistaken for the native ladybug or other lady beetle species. They’re one of the most common beetle species found in Florida. 

It is now widely distributed across the nation. Asian lady beetles may enter homes in large numbers and have become consistent overwintering pests in buildings and homes. That’s because Asian lady beetles cannot survive sub-freezing temperatures, so they seek out warmth and humidity inside. 

What Do Asian Lady Beetles Look Like?

Asian lady beetles are multicolored, ranging from yellow to deep red, with black spots on their elytra (wing covers). The pronotum, located behind the head, often features a distinctive black “M” or “W” shape. 

Asian lady beetle larvae look different from the adults. They are dark with orange markings and soft, spiky bodies. The pupal stage resembles a small, orange-brown shell.

Signs of an Asian Lady Beetle Infestation

While these beetles can help with biological control in crops, they can become a significant nuisance pest indoors.

Signs of infestation often occur in fall when the beetles seek warm, sheltered areas to overwinter. You may notice large numbers of beetles clustering on walls, windows, or ceilings, especially near light sources. They sometimes enter living areas by squeezing through cracks or wall voids.

Habitat, Diet, Life Cycle & Behaviours

 

Where Do Asian Lady Beetles Live?

Asian lady beetles live in many places, such as agricultural crops, forests, and gardens. They originally came from eastern Asia but have adjusted well to Florida’s warm weather. These beetles like being outdoors where they can eat soft insects like aphids. 

In fall, beetles seek out crevices and protected areas around homes to spend the winter, congregating in attics, wall cavities, cracks around door frames, and within soffits and wall voids. They are often found on siding or near light, as they are drawn to bright areas. 

Hundreds and even thousands of these beetles have been found in and on homes. 

Diet

Asian lady beetles are predators that help with biological control by eating aphids, scale insects, and other pests in agricultural crops.. When food is hard to find, they might also eat fruits or nectar. 

This species is a fierce predator of crop pests. It can produce several generations each year. These insects often gather in groups and can enter buildings, making them major structural pests. While Asian Lady Beetles are good to have outdoors, large numbers indoors can cause problems.

Life Cycle

The life cycle of an Asian lady beetle has four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. 

Females lay yellow eggs in clusters on leaves near food. The eggs hatch into larvae that look like small, spiny alligators and eat lots of pests. Once they grow, the larvae enter the pupal stage, where they develop inside a protective shell. Then, an adult beetle emerges, ready to reproduce. 

The entire cycle can take as little as a month, allowing beetle numbers to grow quickly.

Behaviors

Asian lady beetles often gather in large numbers in cooler months as they seek shelter. 

They are attracted to light and may swarm on sunny walls or windows. Asian lady beetles are usually harmless. But, they can be frustrating in living areas. Some people may be allergic to them. 

Asian lady beetles are highly adaptable, which helps them thrive in various environments. Their search for warmth makes them a fall nuisance for homeowners.

Are Asian Lady Beetles Dangerous?

Although Asian lady beetles may bite, their bite does not seriously injure humans or spread diseases.  If handled or crushed, they will emit a foul odor and leave a stain. This liquid can stain surfaces and may cause allergic reactions, like rhinoconjunctivitis, in sensitive individuals. If this happens, please call your doctor.

If a large number of beetles gain access inside of homes, they can also stain drapery and clothing, making them more of a nuisance than dangerous.

How to Get Rid of Asian Lady Beetles?

Professional pest control  is the most effective solution. Our experts can safely apply insecticidesand seal cracks around windows and walls to stop beetles from re-entering. 

If beetles hide in hard-to-reach spots like wall voids or behind baseboards, our l experts can safely locate and remove them. We provide long-term protection by addressing these problem spots, ensuring that beetles don’t return and infest your living spaces again. 

Contact Florida Pest Control for help with getting rid of Asian lady beetles today.

Asian Lady Beetle Prevention Tips

To prevent Asian lady beetles from invading your home, try taking these steps:

  • Seal entry points, such as cracks, window frames, and vents.
  • Install tight-fitting screens on doors and windows.
  • Use caulk to close gaps in siding or around pipes.
  • Keep outdoor lights off or use yellow bulbs to reduce their attraction to light.

Preventing access to wall voids and living areas is key. Regular maintenance and cleaning will also reduce the chances of an infestation. 

For the most effective prevention, talk with our experts at Florida Pest Control

Do You Have a Beetle Infestation Problem? We Can Help.

If you are dealing with an infestation, always contact a licensed beetle exterminator. Let Florida Pest Control handle the problem ad help to keep beetles away from your property for good.

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FAQs

Do Asian lady beetles bite?

Asian lady beetles can bite, but their bite is harmless and doesn’t spread diseases. 

Are Asian lady beetles invasive?

Yes, Asian lady beetles are invasive. Introduced for biological control, they have become widespread and often invade homes, especially during the fall to overwinter.

Are Asian lady beetles poisonous?

No, Asian lady beetles are not poisonous. However, they can cause allergic reactions like rhinoconjunctivitis in sensitive individuals.

Are Asian lady beetles harmful to plants?

No, Asian lady beetles do not harm plants. They are beneficial insects that feed on pests like aphids, making them valuable for agricultural crops.

What attracts Asian lady beetles?

Asian lady beetles are attracted to light, warm areas, and food sources like aphids. They may also be drawn to homes seeking shelter for the winter, especially in wall voids or cracks.

Webworm

Webworms in Florida

The fall webworm is native to North America and is found throughout most of the United States and southern Canada. Caterpillars construct large, unsightly webs on the outer ends of tree branches while they feed in late summer and early autumn. They are distinctly different from the Eastern Tent-Caterpillar, which prefers to create webs in the crook of tree branches. Webworms feed on the leaves of at least 80 species of shade, nut, and fruit trees. Although they don’t cause permanent damage, their webs can be unsightly in large amounts.

Webworm Habitat

The fall webworm lives in areas where host trees occur, namely hardwood forests and landscapes. Infestations are most common on trees growing in open areas, such as along roadsides, in yards, and on forest edges. Fall webworm moths are attractive white moths emerging between May and July to mate. Female moths lay several hundred eggs on the undersides of leaves, and when the eggs hatch, young larvae construct a nest by webbing leaves together. Larvae feed on foliage enclosed by the nest, which expands as the larvae develop.

Webworm Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

Webworms do not bite, are not poisonous, and are considered to be more of a nuisance pest. Although the webs are unsightly, defoliation by fall webworms usually causes little harm to the tree. Most trees are already preparing for winter dormancy, so few energy reserves or nutrients are lost. However, most property owners prefer to eliminate webworm nests. Since fall webworms are not considered harmful, their webs can be removed by using a long branch to open the web itself.

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Sowbug

Sowbugs in Florida

Sowbugs and pillbugs are found throughout the United States and because they are similar in appearance, their names are sometimes used interchangeably. Often known as roly-polies, pillbugs are able to roll up into a tight ball when disturbed or threatened. However, the sowbug has a pair of tail-like appendages that project out from the rear of its body, preventing them from rolling up to protect themselves. They are easily recognized by their back, which is made up of a number of hard individual plates. Since sowbugs require moisture, they do not survive indoors for more than a few days unless there are very moist or damp conditions.

Sowbug Habitat

Sowbugs thrive in moist environments and can be found outdoors under mulch, fallen leaves, and rocks. Their nocturnal and require humid conditions during the day. Sowbugs are scavengers and feed mainly on organic matter. They may leave their natural habitats at night and crawl about over sidewalks, patios, and foundations. Sowbugs can become a nuisance as they often invade crawl spaces, damp basements, and first floors of structures at ground level.

Sowbug Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

Sowbugs do not bite or sting and cannot damage household furnishings. Sowbugs are mainly a nuisance pest, especially when they venture indoors. They are harmless to people but can damage the roots of plants when they eat. Sowbugs typically enter buildings through door thresholds, especially homes with sliding glass doors on the ground level. Seeing a sowbug in the home usually means that there is a large population outdoors.

If you suspect a sowbug issue, contact your local pest control company.

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Velvet Ant Wasp

Velvet Ant Wasps in Florida

Commonly referred to as the red velvet ant or cow killer ant, the velvet ant (Dasymutilla occidentalis) is actually a solitary wasp belonging to the family Mutillidae. Due to a painful sting, tough outer skeleton, and foul-smelling chemical excretions, it appears that the velvet ant does not have any predators.  

What Do Velvet Ant Wasps Look Like?

Velvet ant wasps get their name due to the fuzzy velvet appearance of females, which are wingless and often brightly colored. Their bright colors are actually a signal warning predators to stay away.

Female velvet ants are wingless and have a hard exoskeleton, while males have wings and are often mistaken for bees or other wasps. Females are equipped with a long, sharp stinger, which is actually a modified ovipositor (a tube used for both defense and laying eggs). Adults grow up to an inch long, making them one of the larger solitary wasps in Florida.

Velvet ant wasps are just one of the many species of stinging insects in Florida.

Signs of a Velvet Ant Wasp Infestation

Velvet ants don’t live in colonies like other wasps, but seeing a few in your yard or near the nests of other insects could mean there are more nearby. Watch out for these signs:

  • Frequent sightings: Seeing multiple velvet ants, especially in sandy or dry areas, may indicate a thriving local population. They are often found in lawns, gardens, and near nesting sites of ground-dwelling bees and wasps.
  • Burrow openings in soil – Velvet ants are known to invade the underground nests of other wasps and bees to lay their eggs. If you notice small holes or burrow openings in the soil, they may be using them to access their hosts’ nests.
  • High activity in open areas: These wasps prefer dry, sandy areas, so frequent movement in exposed soil, paths, or sparse lawns may be a sign of their presence.
  • Painful stings – While they rarely sting unless handled, if you or pets experience painful stings in areas where velvet ants are active, it could indicate their presence. Female velvet ants have a powerful sting, earning them the nickname “cow killers.”
  • Increased presence of solitary wasps and bees – Since velvet ants parasitize ground-nesting wasps and bees, a rise in their population could be linked to an increase in the host species in your area.


If you encounter a red velvet ant, exercise caution. Their painful sting can be avoided by leaving them undisturbed. For safe and effective removal of velvet ant wasps, contact the experts at Florida Pest Control. Our team can handle the problem efficiently and help protect your home. 

Habitat, Diet, Life Cycle & Behaviors

Understanding the habitat, diet, and behaviors of velvet ant wasps can help you identify them better.

Where Do Velvet Ant Wasps Live?

Velvet ants typically live in warm, sandy environments such as fields, meadows, and open woodlands. They are commonly found in the southern United States, including Florida, where they thrive in dry, sandy soils. The velvet ant wasp is typically seen running around open areas, sometimes erratically, in late summer. They may be seen in lawns or pastures or wandering into buildings. Females usually search for host nests on the ground, especially on bare, sandy soil. Male velvet ants are often found on flowers. 

Diet

Velvet ants are external parasites of bees and wasps, taking over their nests in the ground. A few species of velvet ants paralyze flies and beetles. Adult velvet ant wasps feed on nectar and water. Although uncommon, velvet ant wasps occasionally enter structures in search of prey.

Life Cycle

Velvet ants start their life cycle when a female lays an egg inside a host insect’s nest, like a bee or wasp nest. When the velvet ant egg hatches, the larva feeds on the host insect’s larva or pupa. After feeding, the velvet ant pupates in a cocoon inside the host nest. New adults emerge in late spring or early summer to repeat the cycle.

Behaviors

Velvet ant wasps are solitary creatures and don’t live in colonies. Consequently, there are no identifiable nests to treat. They also make a squeaking noise when handled, which is another defense mechanism. Even though they look scary, velvet ants are not aggressive unless provoked.

Are Velvet Ant Wasps Dangerous?

They can be. Although velvet ants are very docile and rarely come into contact with people, the female velvet ant has a very potent and toxic venom. Males cannot sting and are harmless, but the females have an extremely painful sting, as suggested by the name “cow killer” given to some of the larger species.

A sting generally only occurs if they are accidentally stepped on. If a sting does happen, there is the possibility of a severe allergic reaction occurring in some people that will require immediate medical attention. Parents should educate their children to not handle them or touch them. For advice or assistance with velvet ant wasps in your property, contact your local wasp control experts.

How to Get Rid of Velvet Ant Wasps

The safest way to remove velvet ant wasps is to call a professional pest control service. Experts can locate where these wasps are hiding and safely remove them without risking painful stings. If you’re dealing with velvet ant wasps, contact our wasp experts at Florida Pest Control for safe and effective removal. 

Velvet Ant Wasp Prevention Tips

Follow these steps to help keep velvet ant wasps away:

  • Seal gaps and cracks: Close any openings around your home to stop wasps from entering.
  • Keep your yard clean: Remove debris and trim overgrown grass or plants where wasps might hide. Velvet ants thrive in dry, sandy areas, so reducing bare soil by planting grass or ground cover can discourage them.
  • Inspect for nests: Regularly check for bee or wasp nests that velvet ants might parasitize.
  • Reduce outdoor food sources: Clean up spilled or sugary liquids that might attract insects.

Need Help with Bees, Wasps, or Hornets?

If you have bees, wasps, or hornets around, it’s important to act fast. Insects like velvet ant wasps, yellowjackets and even the honey bee can be dangerous, especially if they feel threatened. Taking quick action can help keep your home and family safe.

Our bee, wasp and hornet exterminators at Florida Pest Control safely remove nests, prevent infestations, and protect your home from all stinging insects. Get your FREE quote today.

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FAQs

Why are velvet ants so hard to kill?

This is due to their tough exoskeleton, which helps protect them from many threats. Additionally, these wasps often stay hidden in the ground, making them harder to spot and remove.

Are velvet ants poisonous?

Velvet ants aren’t poisonous, but their sting is extremely painful. The venom from their sting can cause discomfort and, in rare cases, allergic reactions.

Why are velvet ants called cow killers?

Velvet ants are called “cow killers” because their sting is so painful that it’s said to be able to kill a cow, though this is an exaggeration.

Do velvet ants sting?

Yes, female velvet ants sting. They use their powerful stinger to defend themselves or while hunting for prey, like beetles and other insects.

Do velvet ants live in colonies?

No, velvet ants are solitary wasps. Unlike many other wasp species, they don’t live in colonies and prefer to live alone, especially during the adult stage.

Meadow Vole

Meadow Voles in Florida

The meadow vole, often referred to as the “meadow mouse” or “field mouse,” is a common rodent found throughout North America. Unlike rats and mice, it has a shorter tail and a thick, cylindrical body. Meadow voles are poor climbers and seldom enter homes, preferring to inhabit underground tunnel systems that can damage lawns and landscaping. They breed rapidly and primarily feed on plants like grasses and seeds.

Meadow Vole Habitat

While meadow voles sometimes appear above ground, they mainly inhabit shallow, compact burrows. Their nests, constructed from grass, stems, and leaves, are often tucked beneath dense vegetation. Clearing this cover may reveal runways that lead to their nesting sites. Evidence of their activity includes freshly cut grass and greenish droppings, about 3/16 inch long, scattered near their burrows.

Meadow Vole Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

Although meadow voles seldom come into contact with humans and pose minimal health threats, they are capable of spreading diseases such as plague and tularemia. While they typically avoid entering homes, they are significant pests for homeowners, often damaging orchards, tree plantings, and crops during their foraging. Their burrowing weakens the stability of plants and trees, and they can also harm tree trunks, lawns, golf courses, and ground covers.

Signs of a meadow vole problem? Contact your nearest rodent extermination professionals for assistance.

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