October 18, 2006

INFESTATION!

My office is currently infested with about 600-1000 ladybugs, that are creeping in somehow through the window frames. I estimate several hundred thousand on campus at the moment. My office has kind of become something out of the Amityville Horror, except with a perky, sunshiny sort of demon.

I'm going to take the advice of my laser printer, which is currently saying "GET OUUUUUUUUUTTTTTT" More later when I get home.

Posted by Steve-O at October 18, 2006 02:32 PM | TrackBack
Comments

Careful. Those probably aren't ladybugs. If they are slightly orange, then they bite. And it hurts plus you get a big bump. Trust me. Our street was invaded by a swarm of those things when I was walking with one toddler on a tricycle and one infant in a pram.

Posted by: Mrs. Peperium at October 18, 2006 06:10 PM

Probably they are what are called lady beetles. They are another brilliant "green" idea and were imported from Japan to eat peach(?) mites. They do that, but as their natural place to spend the winter is in caves and cracks, they just love to enter buildings. They are so good at it that about all you can do is lay down an insecticide barrier around the house before they swarm. In addition to their other charming characteristics, they have a pungent odor, especially if damaged, and the ichor from their joints leaves a nasty stain. After 10 years of them, I just keep a dust buster handy and vacuum them up as I see them. It is easy, effective, and if you worry about such things humane and environmentally friendly.

Posted by: Alan at October 18, 2006 06:31 PM

I had the same problem at my old house, and like Alan, I just vacuumed them up. The vacuum (an upright with a bag) harbored the odor those little devils give off, and no matter how many times I changed that bag, it still stunk. And the infestation was in our bedroom; imagine waking up to those things in bed with you. Ugh!

We're now getting them in our new house, mostly on the side of the house facing south. They creep in through the sliding glass door. I have the least expensive vacuum at the ready.

Posted by: GroovyVic at October 19, 2006 05:52 AM