Ladybug & stinkbug control in Western North Carolina

Both ladybugs and stinkbugs are overwintering pests, meaning they don't stay active through winter — they look for somewhere sheltered and warm to ride it out until spring. Your home, with its wall voids, attic spaces, and sun-warmed exterior surfaces, fits the bill perfectly.

Western North Carolina's mix of wooded surroundings and older housing stock makes it particularly susceptible. Properties near tree lines tend to see the heaviest activity, and homes with lots of south or west-facing sun exposure are especially attractive since the warmth draws these insects in on fall afternoons.

Activity typically starts in September and peaks through October as temperatures begin to drop overnight. Once inside wall voids and attic spaces they'll stay largely dormant through winter, but warm spells - and heated interiors - can bring them out again unexpectedly through the colder months. Come spring, they'll start trying to find their way back outside, which often means a second wave of sightings indoors.

They behave almost identically when it comes to overwintering, but they're different insects and worth knowing apart.

• Small, dome-shaped, typically orange to red with black spots
• Often confused with the native ladybug, but the Asian lady beetle is the one that invades homes in large numbers
• Can leave a yellowish staining liquid on surfaces when disturbed or crushed
• Tend to gather on light-coloured exterior walls and around window frames in sunny afternoon hours
• Can bite, though it's more of a pinch than a sting and rarely breaks the skin

• Shield-shaped body, mottled brown, roughly the size of a thumbnail
• Notorious for the unpleasant smell they release when disturbed or crushed — avoid vacuuming them with a standard vacuum for this reason
• Often found crawling on walls, windows, and ceilings indoors once they've made it inside
  Numbers have increased significantly across WNC in recent years as the species has spread further into the region

Both insects are remarkably good at finding their way into small openings. Common entry points include:

• Gaps around window frames and door frames
• Cracks in exterior siding or around utility penetrations
• Openings around eaves, soffits, and roof lines
• Gaps where pipes or cables enter the home
• Chimneys and attic vents without proper screening

Once a few get in and release aggregation pheromones, more tend to follow — which is why some homes see far larger numbers than neighbouring properties.