Normally, if you spot a ladybug, it’s your lucky day. They’re often considered a symbol of “good luck” or a positive omen. Cape-Cod-based realtor Ashley (@ashley.matoso), however, warns that spotting a ladybug in your home can be disastrous.
“Just a quick PSA: If you ever see these ladybugs in your home,” she says, flipping the camera to reveal a giant bug on the wall that resembles a ladybug. “Kill them. I know what you’re thinking, ‘They’re good luck. They’re so cute.’”
“You are about 20 away from an infestation, OK?” she says. “But those things lay a million eggs a day. And just leaving them behind, you could have an infestation later on.”
“So, RIP, Miss Ladybug,” Ashley concludes.
Viewers have mixed opinions
Her video has racked up over 454,000 views.
Most claimed the bug in question was an Asian lady beetle, not a ladybug.
“Red is lady bug, orange is a jag bug they bite,” one said.
“Don’t continue to give a ladybug a bad rap. These are not ladybugs they are Asian beetles. They stink when squished and stain things orange. Nasty things,” another said.
Those who had endured an infestation in their homes shared their experiences.
“As a kid we moved into a house that had tons of ladybugs it was magical & terrifying at the same time lol,” one user recalled.
“I’ve actually lived in a home that had a lady bug infestation in the bathroom. It will haunt me forever,” a second revealed.
Ladybugs vs. Asian Lady Beetles
It’s easy to confuse ladybugs and Asian lady beetles. After all, they’re cousin insects. Despite having similar body shapes, coloring, and polka-dot wings, there are some differences:
- Their shapes are different. Ladybugs have round bodies, whereas Asian lady beetles are oval. In addition, ladybugs are smaller compared to their counterparts.
- Asian lady beetles are aggressive. When feeling threatened, they bite and release a repugnant, yellow liquid. However, their cousin is harmless and eats harmful insects in gardens.
- Asian lady beetles can stain furniture and cause some damage to a home. Ladybugs do not.
- Asian lady beetles are often the ones to creep into your home.
@ashley.matoso PSA: If you see a ladybug in your house… KILL IT.
Before you call me a monster, let me explain why
They are invasive ladybug beetles can multiply fast indoors, turning one bug into an infestation.
They can trigger allergic reactions and create a messy cleanup situation.
Early elimination stops them from taking over your space. Don’t wait until they’re everywhere – nip it in the bud! #LadybugInvasion #homeowner #PestControl #HomeTips ♬ 15 minutes sabrina carpenter – ୨ৎ
How to get rid of them
Plunkett Pest Control does recommend getting rid of Asian lady beetles—not ladybugs—but not by crushing them like Ashley suggests. Ashley is correct, an Asian lady beetle entering a home can, in fact, lead to an infestation.
To get rid of ladybugs in the home, Plunkett Pest Control recommends taking these steps:
- Seal off any openings, cracks, and broken screens.
- Vacuum any remnants.
- Wash the infected areas with soap and water.
- Spray Citronella oil around the house.
Update 7:45pm CT, Feb. 25: Ashley told the Daily Dot she’s been a realtor for three years. While a client has never experienced an infestation, Ashley has.
“I recently moved into a new construction home, and my family and I started noticing these little beetles that looked like ladybugs. At first, we thought, ‘Oh, how cute, good luck!’” she recalled via email. “But then we realized it wasn’t just one or two—it was hundreds. Turns out, they weren’t ladybugs at all, but Asian lady beetles, which are way more invasive. They bite, they’re toxic to pets, and they can even cause allergic reactions in people. So, yeah… not so lucky after all!”
Ashley said she mistakenly squished one of these bugs.
“One beetle? No big deal. A hundred beetles? That’s a different story! These little guys release a pheromone when they feel threatened, which basically sends an invite to all their friends. (I learned that the hard way when I squished one—big mistake!) So, if you see one, odds are, there are more hiding somewhere,” the content creator said.
She added, “First rule—don’t squish them! That pheromone will just attract more. Vacuuming them up seems to be the best solution. Some people also swear by spraying surfaces with vinegar or a lemon solution to keep them from coming back. But if they get really out of hand, you might need to call in pest control—nobody wants that!”
Ashley urges readers to hold off before prematurely celebrating spotting a ladybug.
“If you see a ‘ladybug’ inside, take a closer look before celebrating that good luck!” Ashley added.
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