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Asian lady Beetles have begun their annual descent on campus and will soon seek refuge indoors during the cold winter months. | Emmi Harlan
Bothersome beetles make annual return to area
Every year, an unwelcome guest makes its way into NIU residence halls and literally bugs the residents.
This year is no different, because Asian Lady Beetles are once again populating DeKalb.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Asian Lady Beetles seek shelter in homes and buildings during the winter months, and are usually not welcomed by residents.
Junior psychology major Des Lawe is one student who does not welcome the beetles with open arms or an open window.
“It’s hard enough getting used to one new roommate,” Lawe said. “But living with these bugs is too much.”
In past winters, the beetles found shelter in the stairways of Grant residence halls.
The USDA says the beetles are not damage-seeking pests like termites. Instead, they serve more as an annoyance to residents.
Killing the Lady Beetles is where things get tricky. A simple squashing will more than work, but after the bugs are killed, they can leave a stain and an unpleasant odor.
The USDA said the Asian Lady Beetles have a defense reaction called “reflex bleeding,” which emits a strong odor and a yellow liquid.
“They come out of nowhere, then you hunt them down and kill them, and you have dead bug on your shoes and a stain where you smashed them,” said Lawe. “Dorm rooms smell as it is, and the stench of dead bug makes it worse.”
Outside, Asian Lady Beetles will often latch onto clothing, hair or other accessories.
The USDA says the beetles are attracted to lighter colors such as white, gray and yellow.
Despite the large number of beetles at the residence halls, some students, along with Housing and Dining, have not seen the beetles as a problem thus far.
Michael Stang, director of Residential Facilities and Operations with Housing and Dining, said he has not received any calls complaining of the beetles this semester.
Like Stang, senior special education major Jennifer Punzi has not had any problems with the beetles.
“This is my first year here, and although I’ve heard about the large amount of Asian Lady Beetles at NIU, I haven’t seen one yet,” said Punzi, who transferred to NIU prior to this semester.
For prevention and control of the Asian Lady Beetles, the USDA recommends sweeping and vacuuming, while also caulking exterior cracks. The USDA does not recommend any interior use of insecticides but suggests using a trap that attracts the bugs with a light and catches them in a removable bag.
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