Talkback: Harlequin ladybirds - Talkback

13/01/2011 at 17:45

Thanks for that observation, Pippa. Have likewise noticed the number of Harlequins hibernating in our large conservatory window frames. Bit of a slob though, and haven't dusted for a while but now you have given me a genuine gardening related reason for donning those marigolds and getting out the feather duster!! Will get back to you.....

Gardeners' World Web User

13/01/2011 at 22:25

As this species originated in Siberia amongst other places, I doubt it is the cold alone that is killing them.

Gardeners' World Web User

15/01/2011 at 14:47

I have exactly the same problem of ladybirds on my windoill since last couple of years. I keep vaccuming but they keep flourishing. Like Pippa I am not good at killing anything. Idon't know how to get rid of them.

Gardeners' World Web User

15/01/2011 at 20:31

i was reading all the above last night and today while i was cleaning the windows,i found 4 dead ladybirds they look like the picture you have showing,they were in the seals of the windows and 1 was in the seal of the back door......why didnt they go to there lady bug hotel that we have around the garden is it because the doors/windows are warmer and dry.

Gardeners' World Web User

16/01/2011 at 01:36

I have a herd of ladybirds in my bedroom. They're quite active, walking around the window, across the ceiling and sometimes on the bed. I think they're harlequins though I'm not sure, but they're certainly still feeding. I have a pot of Stevia, a herb, overwintering by the window, and was horrified to find it smothered in aphids a while ago. Then the ladybirds arrived and hey presto! no aphids. They did a similar job on my aubergines in the greenhouse last summer, dealing with a heavy infestation on 15 plants. (I like aubergines!) I know they're a threat to our natives but it's hard to complain when they help me out so efficiently.

Gardeners' World Web User

16/01/2011 at 13:01

Ladybirds certainly do love warmth. I remember the swarms in Weston-s-Mare one very hot summer. I think it was 1976. The seafront was swarming with them. No wonder they are seeking refuge in our centrally -heated houses in very cold weather, but they don't bite as far as I know and do help protect our plants from aphids.

Gardeners' World Web User

20/01/2011 at 13:40

it a lovely place for the bees

Gardeners' World Web User

21/01/2011 at 18:55

I have found several ladybirds on my windowsills in the bedrooms. Not all dead, mostly the common red with black spots. My question is, what is best to do for them, leave them alone, or put them out in the sun (we have had some lately!) to find a better spot?

Gardeners' World Web User

22/01/2011 at 17:47

I was on holiday on The Isle of Wight during that hot summer of 1976 and remember being delighted at seeing swarms of them too. It was an amazing sight.

Gardeners' World Web User

24/01/2011 at 10:21

Hi guys, I have just acquired some glass and wish to build a greenhouse from it, what would your advise be or in which magazine can I find the info and I'll have a root through my back issues. I have 3 pieces 2 of the same size so I guess I can put this on the sides and a longer piece for on the top. Can I also maybe mix pvc and glass?? The dimensions of the pieces I have are 4ft x 2ft (1 piece) and 3ft x 2ft (2 pieces. They are double glass. Slainte, Brid

Gardeners' World Web User

27/02/2011 at 12:32

I have been noticing ladybirds in my house for over a month. I have today found more than ten of the things in my kitchen. They are all of the red with black spot versions but I had one there a month ago that was black with two red spots. I have also been bitten a few times over the past few days- ankles! It seems that no aphids = eat me! I hope that they are not loads more of them hibernating in my window frames!

Gardeners' World Web User

28/02/2011 at 10:35

Definitely best to leave ladybirds where they are at this time of year as the weather is still vary variable and a sunny spot in the garden can soon turn into a frosty spot!

Gardeners' World Web User

24/03/2011 at 17:03

i can not understand why i have so many ladybirds in my garden and a few in the house what does this mean ?

Gardeners' World Web User

24/03/2011 at 17:04

why have i so many ladybirds in our garden and also a few have come in the house

Gardeners' World Web User

03/04/2011 at 12:25

I have loads of ladybirds in my garden as well, they look like the native ones pictured. Why so many?

Gardeners' World Web User

14/08/2011 at 15:27

Whilst gardening today we have noticed that there seems to be an unusually large amount of ladybirds around at the moment. Is this just due to the warm weather?

Gardeners' World Web User

28/11/2011 at 18:42

on visiting one of my favourite nursaries last summer there were litraly thousands of ladybirds crawling all over the place but they were the brown legged type that are not native and although I have loads of wild life in my garden, there was an alarming shortage of ladybirds.hope our native one's are not being wiped out.

CurlyCarly

09/03/2012 at 22:35

I live in Kinver in South Staffs and have a seriously increasing problem with Harlequin ladybirds overwintering around the inside of sash windows and coming into the house when the heating goes on. This has got worse over the last three years as they are multiplying at an alarming rate. Last week my daughter and young grandson came to stay and the light in our guest room brought them out in droves. I hoovered them up and lost count when I reached a hundred. The following evening they were there again. I find several in the kitchen sink each morning and have even had them drop into food. These are not the cute little ladybirds of nursery rhymes and childrens stories, and yes they do bite. It is impossible to collect the clusters and put them in a shed, as has been suggested in your magazine, because they gather in hidden nooks and crannies where you cannot find them. We have lots of native seven spots among the leaf litter in our garden but these invaders are not welcome. I am at a loss to know what to do next winter. Any suggestions would be most welcome.

Your say

Terms and Conditions | Code of Conduct

Email me when a response is made?