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MechEngDropout
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Joined: 27 Jun 2003
Posts: 10474
Location: Off the grid
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 Posted: 02/16/04 - 18:49 Post subject: Pest problem
I've got a lot of ladybugs crawling all over a south facing window. It's 15 feet high, and I don't have a ladder so I really have no way of getting to them. I'd say there's about 50 on the window. I've done a little bit of research and basically they say that they are accidental pests, and they neither eat nor reproduce while indoors. I find it kinda hard to believe just because there's so many, but I take the University of Iowa to be a pretty reputable source. They also said that most spray pesticides were ineffective against them. The best way to handle them is to vacuum them up or sweep them outside. There are also traps available, but at a pretty high cost. A trap basically consists of a sticky-lined cardboard box with a light inside (they're attracted to the light, which also explains the south window). I might try to conjure up a trap of my own, but I'm not sure what to use for the stickiness. It has to be sticky enough to keep them from walking or flying off.
Ideas?
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elkid
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Joined: 18 Nov 2002
Posts: 8353
Location: hiding out in Philly
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Posted: 02/16/04 - 18:55 Post subject:
I'll trade you the mice in my house for all the ladybugs ....
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TimRuns
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Joined: 11 May 2003
Posts: 10062
Location: Coquitlam, British Columbia
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Posted: 02/16/04 - 19:06 Post subject:
Yes, ladybugs often overwinter in people's houses to escape the chill. I say the simplest method is to sweep them outside and not spend money on traps. They are useful bugs in the garden though by devouring those pesky aphids on plants. You can try selling them to a gardener or farmer if you like... 
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msparks
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Joined: 13 Nov 2003
Posts: 3182
Location: Jammin' at the Frim Fram, Frippin' in the Krotz
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Posted: 02/16/04 - 19:12 Post subject:
| TimRuns wrote: | | Yes, ladybugs often overwinter in people's houses to escape the chill. I say the simplest method is to sweep them outside and not spend money on traps. They are useful bugs in the garden though by devouring those pesky aphids on plants. |
Tim's right. Ladybugs (ladybeetles) are the kind of insects which are great to have in the garden. I've even seen them for sale in organic gardening catalogs. Hey, they don't bite! I always cut 'em slack. I try to capture them (not too difficult) and release them back outside. They seem to be active only when it warms up.
Trust the info from Iowa.
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purple hayes
Frightened Inmate #2
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Joined: 14 May 2002
Posts: 14462
Location: ON YOUR LEFT!
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Posted: 02/16/04 - 19:36 Post subject: Re: Pest problem
| MechEngDropout wrote: | | they neither eat nor reproduce while indoors. |
I wish more of my guests were that way.
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omega lambda
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Posted: 02/16/04 - 19:40 Post subject: Re: Pest problem
| purple hayes wrote: | | MechEngDropout wrote: | | they neither eat nor reproduce while indoors. |
I wish more of my guests were that way. |
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Maddies Wench
Flailing Homosapiens
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Joined: 12 Jun 2003
Posts: 6103
Location: Seeking out the poorer quarters where the ragged people go.
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Posted: 02/16/04 - 20:42 Post subject:
i usually start the winter with nine or ten of them up in one corner of the livingroom.
No mattah. They don't bother me and they're cheap entertainment for the cats.
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bburgoyne26
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Joined: 16 Sep 2003
Posts: 2959
Location: Ft. Worth, Texas
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Posted: 02/16/04 - 21:48 Post subject:
Don't you dare poison them!.....that's a crime against nature, plus bad luck for you!!!!!! 
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msparks
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Joined: 13 Nov 2003
Posts: 3182
Location: Jammin' at the Frim Fram, Frippin' in the Krotz
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Posted: 02/16/04 - 21:53 Post subject:
| bburgoyne26 wrote: | | Don't you dare poison them!.....that's a crime against nature, plus bad luck for you!!!!!! |
That's true! No sense in building that bad karma! Consider them your "wild pets" and let it go at that.
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