They might be cute and come in colors of red, black, yellow and orange, but ladybugs can wreak havoc on a home. In some parts of the country, the Asian lady beetle is a major home invader.
These beetles are attracted to light and often come indoors through cracks in foundations or other exterior openings.
But the real reason you’re finding them in your bathroom is because they’re either looking for shelter or food.
You’d be hard-pressed to find a homeowner who hasn’t dealt with a pest problem in their home at one point of another.
It’s important to know that there are many things you can do to eradicate these unwanted roommates from your home.
But regardless of what you do, it’s important to know that you’re not alone in your battle against bugs.
What are ladybugs?
Ladybugs are insects in the family Coccinellidae, which is a group of beetles that are commonly found on plants, especially flowers, and are often used as an organic form of pest control.
Ladybugs are hard-shelled, domed insects with short antennae.
They are found in most parts of the world and are a familiar sight in gardens.
Ladybugs are diurnal and spend the day in lit spots to feed or mate.
The ladybug may look cute but it is a predator and feeds on aphids.
Ladybugs lay from 200 to 300 eggs in batches, which can hatch in as little as 3 weeks.
Are ladybugs born with spots?
If you’re having trouble keeping ladybugs from invading your home, you might be asking yourself, “Are ladybugs born with spots?”
Don’t worry—you’re not alone in asking this question.
In fact, there are even entire forums on the subject.
But the answer is actually pretty simple, and a quick Google search will provide you with all the details you need.
No, they are not born with spots.
They undergo different stages in life that change their appearance before ending up with the lovely spots people admire later on.
Why do ladybugs gather in corners?
The ladybugs you are seeing in corners are just trying to find a safe place to keep warm.
Ladybugs are cold-blooded, so their bodies are at the temperature of the air around them.
If you have ever seen a ladybug in a corner on your wall, it might be just trying to stay warm, or it might be looking for a ladybug mate.
While ladybugs gather in corners inside houses, they gather in corners outside of houses for different reasons.
Ladybugs will usually be clustered in a corner wherever they are.
Outside, ladybugs gather in corners to stay out of the way of storms and other natural elements.
Why do ladybugs enter your bathroom?
Ladybugs are often regarded as good luck, so it’s surprising to many when they appear in their homes.
While it’s fun to imagine how lucky you are that so many ladybugs decided to take up residence in your home, the truth is that they aren’t there by choice.
Here are a few reasons.
1. Shelter
As we already mentioned, ladybugs have a habit of making their way into our homes and hiding in out-of-the-way corners.
Most of the time, this is because they are seeking shelter, since they are extremely sensitive to weather.
Ladybugs are a natural part of the ecosystem and an enemy to any homeowner, since their presence warns of certain insect infestations within the home.
However, bathroom and kitchen cabinets are a special exception: in these places, ladybugs find shelter and a safe haven.
When darkness falls and the temperature drops, ladybugs will seek out shelter and find it in the bathrooms and living rooms of our homes.
Some homeowners have found ladybugs living near their homes, in the crevices of exterior walls, beneath the eaves of a home, or on a siding or roof.
Ladybugs find shelter in your bathroom because they are attracted to the light and warmth the bulbs emit.
2. Predators
You might think that ladybugs are immune to the effects of the environment out there, but that’s not actually true.
To most people, the idea of a ladybug escaping from its predator by running into the bathroom seems a little bizarre.
But it makes sense when you know that ladybugs (and most other insects) can’t see very well.
This is because their main predators—spiders and ants—are nowhere to be found in the tiled areas that have no dirt or cracks, where they can stay warm and safe from harm, a.k.a the bathroom.
3. Food
When you think of ladybugs, you probably think of those cute little red-and-black bugs that eat aphids and other garden pests.
That’s because in popular culture, ladybugs are portrayed as friendly and harmless—everyone’s favorite bug.
But in reality, ladybugs aren’t so sweet.
When they find their way into your home, they can be a real nuisance.
While they can’t sting or carry any diseases, they are persistent and will invade your bathroom for aphids and other food, which can be a problem if you’re trying to enjoy a relaxing shower or bath.
4. Moisture
Every spring, homeowners discover that their homes are teeming with ladybugs.
The insects often appear in the hundreds and are more than just an aesthetic nuisance.
Although they are beneficial insects because they feed on other garden pests, they need moisture in order to survive.
If they have nowhere to get a drink, they will seek it from people.
Ladybugs aren’t drawn to your bathroom because of its cool, vibrant decor.
They’re drawn to your bathroom because it’s a safe environment where they can find humidity.
When do I need to worry about ladybugs?
After the winter’s thaw, ladybugs emerge from their shells and begin the search for food.
We assume they’re looking for a meal of aphids, their favorite food.
You might see them on your window sills or in your garden, but be aware that ladybugs are harmless to your home.
If you do see them indoors, it’s probably because they are looking for a warm, dry place to spend the winter; ladybugs don’t survive the cold well, so they look to seal themselves into a warm location.
If you see ladybugs indoors, leave them be.
But when their number grows and they seem to thrive within your bathroom, it’s okay to get worried.
At this point, you should consider getting rid of them.
The bugs might seem harmless, but if you see clusters of them in or around your home it could be an indication that they’re breeding.
When you have a ladybug colony means they may move from room to room causing a nuisance.
How to prevent ladybugs from entering my bathroom
With warmer weather upon us, it’s inevitable that your bathroom will become a welcoming refuge for ladybugs.
You might even find them in your shower or tub, perched on the walls or even hiding in your drain.
Keeping ladybugs away from your home is a little trickier than getting rid of them once they’ve already made themselves at home.
That’s because, once they’ve found a way into your house, they can be incredibly difficult to get rid of.
But before you start calling a pest control company, there are a few things you can do to make your bathroom less hospitable to these unwanted guests.
- Seal entry points to your house like cracks
- Don’t leave your doors and windows open
- Don’t leave food out overnight
- Install screens on your windows
- Keep the bathroom clean
- Remove clutter from the floor
- Install a fan in your bathroom to circulate air and remove dampness
How to get rid of ladybugs in the bathroom
You don’t expect to find ladybugs in your bathroom.
But, one morning, that’s exactly what you find: an infestation of ladybugs in your bathroom.
Fortunately, it’s not the end of the world.
Getting rid of ladybugs in the bathroom is easy once you know how to do it—and you don’t have to use pesticides.
If you’re getting a little sick of your new ladybug roommates, here are a few ways to get rid of them and make your bathroom less of a bug buffet.
- bug spray natural repellents such as citronella or citrus oil solution
- plant mums near windows to deter ladybugs
- soapy water to kill ladybug larvae
- vacuum cleaner
