On Sunday, April 6th, Yvonne Bombardier wrote:

>Starlings have invaded my attic this Spring and so I sent a friend up
>to seal off the vents. While up there he found straw and grass
>material but no eggs. What he also found were thousands of ladybugs.
>I have found a few ladybugs in my home but he claims there were
>ladybugs throughout my insulation and covering the inside of the roof
>in one corner of the house. Do Starlings eat ladybugs and do ladybugs
>have other predators? I'm wondering if the Starlings were there to
>nest or just to eat?

>My friend had read an article about ladybugs burrowing into wood.
Has
>anyone else read this or have any information about ladybug
invasions.
>I know ladybugs are supposed to be good for your garden but how good
>can they be for the inside of your house?

>Yvonne Bombardier


I've heard/read from various gardening sources that ladybugs are
migratory, and when they run into something in their path (like a
house) they may take up residence for a few weeks - especially if they
find a warm spot! This has happened at our house the last few years.
I haven't heard of ladybugs actually burrowing into wood, and haven't
noticed any damage around our place. They eventually leave on their
own, as long as the attic isn't actually "sealed" airtight (I assume
Yvonne meant that the attic vents were repaired, not closed off
completely).

Beth Menig
bmenig at eldec.com