indoor lady bugs!

[rainbowgardener]

It's that time of year when the ladybugs like to come in for the winter. I just noticed a pile of them in a high corner over the front door. Not sure how long they've been there, not a spot I look much, since that's the "company" door . Anyway there's probably 50-ish ladybugs all huddled up together in that corner. Assuming I can get a ladder and capture them in a jar, I'd like to move them outdoors. I expect they'd just die there, dry air, no food. If they didn't die, I don't want them hatching out a ton of new ladybugs inside my house.

My question is what is the best spot to move them outdoors, what kind of place do they like to hibernate in (besides wall/ceiling corners)? I'd like to keep them alive to bless my garden next year if possible. Would it be good to tuck them in my compost pile where it's a bit warmer, or would the earthworms and whatever else is in the pile eat them? I have an old butterfly house, that no butterflies ever used. Or tuck them into the leaf mulch in my raised beds? Or any other thoughts?

[Kisal]

A couple of times, I found them overwintering in a hollow in an old tree in my back yard. I wonder if something like an unoccupied bat box would be to their liking?

ETA: Just now noticed that you have a butterfly house that isn't in use. They might like that, if you could put it in a protected corner somewhere, out of the way of the worst of the winter winds.
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Sunset Zone 6/USDA Zone 7b

[applestar]

They seem to prefer a dry location. I suppose shed or garage might work. The butterfly and bat houses are both good suggestions, especially if you can put it in a sheltered area like Kisal said.

At least you got ladybugs. I have STINKBUGS trying to get in the house. Found 3 of them INSIDE DD10's jacket the other day -- must have got in the house and decided that was a cozy place to stay. Luckily *I* found them first, or she would've screamed bloody murder

[rainbowgardener]

Good thought about the shed. Don't have a garage, but do have a shed where the lawn mower and other stuff stays. I can try see if I can get them in the butterfly house and then stick it in the shed...

Haven't disturbed them yet. We have out of town company staying with us. I didn't think this was an operation that should be performed in front of company, in case it results in 50 ladybugs flying around the house once I try to move them. I'm thinking I may try to capture them in a jar and then (if that step works) put the jar in the bottom of the frig for awhile just to be sure they are slowed down.

Eew, eew! Stinkbugs in the jacket! I'd scream too!

[applestar]

I'm thinking if you put that jar in a plastic bag with the butterfly house, close it tight (try to fill with air) and put the whole thing outside in the cold, the ladybugs will seek shelter in the butterfly house. Try to find a clear bag so you can see what's going on -- maybe a dry cleaner cover if you don't have a trash bag (so hard to find clear ones any more -- I like them for storage. I bought some on-line before.)

Good luck getting the 50 ladybugs IN THE JAR first though. (Hmm, would've put an emoticon here, but can't think which is most appropriate -- better drink more caffeine )

[The Helpful Gardener]

The bad news is they excrete a pheremone that says "Remember this spot for next year" and others can smell it and congregate (which is how they build to huge winter colonies in the wild, using body mass for heat). So if you don't get rid of the scent, they'll be back...

Cinnamon has worked for everything else this year...

HG
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Scott Reil
The Helpful Gardener