Ladybugs are almost perfectly round little creatures. They were originally called "ladybirds" and there is a story behind their name involving the Virgin Mary. The seven distinct black spots on their body is referred to being associated with the seven sorrows of the Virgin Mary.

Ladybugs are colorful insects. They have a shiny body that is red, yellow or black, depending on the species. There are over 4,500 different types of ladybugs known today.

Ladybugs cluster together. They do this for protection against birds of prey as well as to stay warm. They are considered beneficial bugs and are used often by gardeners to control pests such as aphids and mealy bugs and other scale insects.

Ladybugs are friendly bugs, people seem captivated by their presence. They are sold commercially to gardeners and other horticulturists to help keep bad bugs at bay. To keep them in the garden you need to treat them right and provide them with enough moisture and other things to munch on that they won't decide to find another Bed & Breakfast somewhere else.

But as cute as these ladybugs are, they can sometimes become pests because of their propensity to cluster together and invade homes and greenhouses. Your home will literally be filled with ladybugs in a matter of minutes. So what do you do?

If you have clusters of ladybugs inside your home, you do not have confused ladybugs, but an Asian variety known as the Multicolored Asian Ladybug. They look different than the American versian of the ladybug. Behind their head they have a white segment with black blotches that resemble the letter N. They carry more spots that the American version, and can be anywhere from bright red, to orange to yellow in coloring. the Asian Ladybugs do bite.

Their instinct when the weather starts turning cold, is to go somewhere warmer. So your house is the prime target. If they find a crack in your walls they will take it as the best route to heat.

Pest Control Tips for Dealing With Ladybugs:

However many ladybugs are flying or milling around your house, do not use pesticides on them. They are beneficial bugs.

Scoop them up and put them outside, use a dustpan, a shovel, whatever you have, but do not poison them.

Seal up the openings to your home. Caulk the cracks and crevices, and screen the windows.

Check your heating ducts as well as your air conditioner vents for leftover clusters.

Vacuum up all the dead and dying ladybugs in your home.

Start burning lemon-scented candles, they do not like the smell.

Be warned that once these ladybugs sense they are in danger, they will leave a yellow smear on your walls. This yellow smear is blood. So if you are removing them from your home, don't panic, and do the removal gently.