Asian Lady Beetles are oval, convex, and about 1/4-inch long. Their color can vary widely from tan to orange to red. They often have several black spots on the wing covers, although on some beetles the spots may be indistinct or entirely absent. Asian beetles eat other insects and have chewing mouthparts. Their bite feels like a pinprick and is seldom serious, although they have been known to bite humans when agitated. Asian beetles seek out crevices and protected places to spend the winter in your homes or businesses.
Though Asian Lady Beetle adult females are prolific egg layers, their reproduction depends on one key ingredient, prey. Without living prey (such as aphids) Asian lady beetles do not have the protein and/or energy they need to produce eggs. Fortunately, the prey that would need to reproduce are not found in your home during the winter.
Studies have shown that Asian Lady Beetles are attracted to illuminated surfaces. They tend to congregate on the sunnier, southwest sides of buildings illuminated by the afternoon sun. Homes or buildings shaded from afternoon sun are less likely to attract beetles. Typical location for entry points include cracks around window and door frames, behind fascia boards and exterior siding, and within soffits, attics, and wall voids. Structures in poor repair with many cracks and openings are most vulnerable to infestation.
Asian Beetles emit an acrid odor and can stain surfaces with their yellowish secretions. Large infestations, often times, find their way into the living areas of your home and will leave stains where they congregate.