If you’ve seen a swarm of colorful ladybugs on your house, they’re actually Asian Lady Beetles, and they pose a serious threat to both you and your pets.
The Mid-Atlantic is being overrun by lady beetles as a result of the late fall warmth. On Twitter, some Philadelphians have already reported seeing the ladybug in their residence. The University of Kentucky Entomology claims that unlike the ladybug, the lady beetle prefers to enter homes.
When lady beetles fly to buildings in search of overwintering sites and end up inside, they can be a nuisance. Once inside they crawl about on windows, walls, attics, etc. before passing away, frequently exuding an unpleasant odor and a yellowish staining fluid,” according to The University of Kentucky Entomology.
Some can bite humans with such force that their skin breaks, resulting in minor, transient discomfort. When the beetles are looking for moisture or food, they get bitten.
They possess the ability to release a viscous, yellowish liquid from the joints of their legs. This liquid can stain light colored surfaces. Some people can develop allergic reactions after being exposed to dead lady beetles in structures.
Because they like to attack dogs in particular, lady bugs are extremely harmful to pets. According to PetMD, Asian lady beetles attack by releasing body fluids (called hemolymph) that contain obnoxious and toxic chemicals.
The mouth and/or gastrointestinal tract can become chemically burned by hemolymph because it is corrosive. It also tastes bad and has a potent repellent odor, according to Dr. veterinarian Elizabeth Doll from Waukesha, Wisconsin’s WVRC Emergency and Specialty Pet Care
The lady beetle can embed in your dog’s mouth and cause chemical burns if they decide to eat one. Lethargy, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea that may be bloody are all potential side effects from consuming a lot of beetles. PetMD advises contacting your veterinarian right away for an assessment if any of these symptoms are present.
The University of Minnesota Extension provided a comprehensive guide on how to guard your homes against lady beetles.
ANSWER:
Yes, they can be harmful if enough are consumed.
More specifically, thereâs a species of invasive ladybug, the Asian lady beetle (Harmonia axyridis), that poses a danger to dogs. Although encounters are rare, in 2016, a Kansas veterinarian reported a sudden increase in cases of dogs with dozens of these insects inside their mouths, sparking a viral panic. These bugs can be found across the United States, including Louisiana, Pennsylvania, and the northeast.
Letâs start by saying Asian lady beetles are not the same as the sweet garden ladybug you know and love. But the two do look incredibly similar. Fortunately, thereâs a simple way to spot the difference: just look at the area between the head and the abdomen (called the pronotum). On a regular ladybug, the pronotum is black with small white spots, but on a multicolored Asian lady beetle, it is often primarily white with black spots, in a âWâ or âMâ shape. These beetles are a nuisance and often swarm and form clusters, especially in the fall, when it begins to cool. Homeowners have found these bugs congregating in their walls, attics, and ceilings.
Using tweezers or a wooden tongue depressor, some pet parents have been successful in getting rid of the insects on their own. You may be able to remove them at home, depending on your abilities and your dog’s willingness to let you work on their mouth. Regardless of whether you see any of these annoying bugs, don’t be afraid to consult your veterinarian if your dog displays any symptoms or signs that seem out of the ordinary.
The beetles secrete a smelly goo as a natural defense mechanism, and veterinarians believe that slime allows them to cling inside a dogâs mouth to avoid being eaten. While the bugs may cause irritation or minor chemical burns to the dogâs mouth because of these toxins, pet parents shouldnât worry about their pup being poisoned.
Karen B. London, Ph.D., is a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist and Certified Professional Dog Trainer who specializes in working with dogs with serious behavioral issues, including aggression, and has also trained other animals including cats, birds, snakes, and insects. She writes the animal column for the Arizona Daily Sun and is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Northern Arizona University. She is the author of six books about training and behavior, including her most recent, Treat Everyone Like a Dog: How a Dog Trainerâs World View Can Improve Your Life.
Insects pose risk to pets, but only in large quantities
The American government introduced the Asian lady beetle to combat pests threatening agriculture. However, Zawislak claimed that because they have no significant predators, their population tends to grow very quickly.
He explained that because these beetles reportedly taste bad and secrete a foul liquid when threatened, they don’t have many predators.
Nancy Hinkle, a veterinary entomologist at the University of Georgia, said mammals should not consume that liquid.
She explained in an email that exposure to these fluids in large doses and for an extended period of time may irritate tissue and even short-term tissue damage. It is a rare phenomenon, but veterinarians and pet owners should be aware of it. “.
Pets may occasionally attempt to consume an Asian lady beetle, but they won’t do so frequently due to their unpleasant flavor, according to Zawislak. If consumed, severe poisoning is unlikely to occur.
Zawislak stated that “a dog would have to eat a very large number of disgusting beetles to really suffer a toxic effect.” “An animal trying to eat some may find them stuck to the mucus-covered ridges on the roof of the mouth, where prolonged contact with the unpleasant defensive chemical may irritate the roof of the mouth.” “.
That was the case for a 6-year-old mixed-breed dog mentioned in a 2008 Toxicon article.
According to the article, the dog had “severe oral mucosal trauma suggestive of chemical burn.” The dog was holding 16 Asian ladybugs in its mouth.
Although these insects have the potential to hurt dogs, veterinarians say they are not aggressive and are usually not a problem.
“If you suspect that your pet has come in contact with, and ingested a large amount of Asian lady beetles, veterinary care is recommended,” Carly Fox, a staff doctor at New York Citys Animal Medical Center, said in an email. “Treatment typically consists of manual removal of the beetles and supportive care. The prognosis is generally excellent after treatment.”
The Facebook post also issues an exaggerated warning about the danger that Asian lady beetles pose to humans.
According to Zawislak, the beetles may cause a slight pinch, some minor discomfort, and possibly a tiny, brief red spot that is swollen.
It’s unlikely that their bite would cause the skin to break, he said, and they don’t sting. “They dont spread any known diseases to humans. “.
Some people could have allergic reactions, but thats only if they’re exposed to an accumulation of dead beetles inside a building or behind wall voids, according to the University of Minnesota Extension.
FAQ
What happens if a dog eats ladybugs?
However, the American Veterinary Medical Association states that there is no real cause for concern when dog owners allow their pets to consume ladybugs.
Are ladybugs poisonous to pets?
When the weather is warm, ladybugs, which are small, numerous, and insect-eating bugs, can invade your home in large numbers. Fortunately, these frequently vibrant insects are not toxic to people and only harm pets who consume ladybugs.
What kind of ladybugs are poisonous?
For instance, black-tinted ladybugs are among the most toxic ladybugs and can cause people to develop allergies. Orange ladybugs are the most allergenic because they have the most toxins in their bodies.
What harm do ladybugs do?
They typically hang out in attics, wall voids, and other protected areas of homes, entering through openings as small as 18″. They don’t sting, but they do bite. Ladybugs have been known to contaminate wood, ruin textiles, harm houses, and even consume our food.