As winter moves towards spring and temperatures start rising, ladybugs that spent the cold months sheltering indoors begin waking up and become active again. But what seemed like a few harmless insects hiding in corners during winter can suddenly become visible as hundreds emerge from wall voids, attics, and window frames looking for a way back outside.
The issue is that not all of these insects are harmless native ladybugs. Many are Asian lady beetles — invasive lookalikes that behave far more aggressively. They release foul-smelling yellow fluid when threatened, leave stains on curtains and walls, and occasionally bite if handled. Knowing which you're dealing with determines how concerned you should be and how you should remove them.
