It is the time of year when visitors come crashing into panhandle Florida residences, especially those seeking an upgrade on their winter lodgings. The highways are clogged with traffic heading south in search of a willing relative or friend who might take in a traveler attempting to avoid unpleasantly low temperatures.
The relatively salubrious climate and pleasant environment make an attractive target for guests, invited or not. Impending holidays notwithstanding, the boarders will be imposing their presence on every aspect of home life.
Alas, if it is not an opinionated uncle from Ohio or the crazy cousin living in California who offers a piñata as a hostess gift, it can be exotic insects which arrive in quantity. Two locally present non-native bugs are high on the offender list for in-home winter invasions.
Both Asian Lady Beetles (ALB) and Kudzu Bugs (KB) are inclined to occupy climate controlled human spaces during the winter. While ten or less of these insects flying or crawling about in the home’s interior would be manageable, they commonly arrive in the thousands.
Asian Lady Beetles spend the mild autumn and winter days pursuing their insect prey, but they will move into home interiors when temperatures drop. Their negative qualities make them poor houseguests.
These pests are excellent hitchhikers which will cling to people, pets and vehicles moving through an infested area. They are also good fliers and can travel relatively long distances.
The appearance of ALBs is similar in shape, color and size to native ladybugs. If examined together, the ALBs have noticeably more white patches on their heads than the local ladybugs.
KBs have an olive green to brownish color which helps individuals camouflage their presence in any native landscape, but they starkly standout when on a light background. Their size is similar to the local ladybugs too.
Both ALBs and KBs are capable of excreting a sticky smelly goo when irritated. The chemical defense these insects employ can stain the natural or treated hard surfaces in homes and will also indelibly stain fabrics.
The similarities end there. The ALBs are a beetle species like the native ladybugs.
Most of the year ALBs are considered beneficial as they eat pest insects like aphids. Their carnivorous pursuits are comparable to native ladybugs.
KBs are in the stinkbug family. They are classified as piercing and sucking insects which consume plant juices to live and reproduce.
Much like native aphids and leaf-footed bugs, they damage fruit and vegetables while introducing bacteria and viruses which render garden and orchard produce useless.
KBs were accidently introduced into the country, likely on luggage arriving at the Atlanta airport from Japan. They were first documented in north Florida in 2010’s.
Control of either invasive insect can be challenging once they enter the home. Over the counter insecticides are effective, but removing thousands of dead bugs without staining upholstery or other surfaces can be a daunting challenge.
Handheld vacuums can suck up the tiny pests, but caution must be used not to crush any and release the marring and malodorous fluids they contain.
If seen on a home’s exterior, a blast of cold water will send them flying. If observed on the building’s outside, it is a logical assumption the interior will be the next stop.
ALBs and KBs are in the area, but where they spend the winter is up to the homeowner.
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