Woman recalls 'nightmare' ladybird home infestation

A woman has spoken of her shock when she discovered "hundreds" of ladybirds on the outside and inside of her home.

Laura Wilson said she arrived back at her house in Beaumont Leys, Leicester, at about 15:00 BST on Monday to find swarms of the insects throughout her home.

"They were just everywhere - all up my front door, up my stairs, all in my landing walls and I didn't know what to do," the 32-year-old - who is seen shrieking at the end of the footage - said.

It comes after reports ladybirds have been taking advantage of the dry, sunny conditions this week to fly and find a sheltered spot to hide for winter.

According to Mrs Wilson, it is not the first time her home has been invaded by the spotted insects

Mrs Wilson, a customer services advisor, said: "When I pulled up I just saw them all on my front door and thought, 'I've got to get all this shopping in'.

"So, I got out the car and they were all flying at me, it was just a nightmare.

"I walked upstairs and saw them all and thought, 'what on earth am I going to do?'

"I think it's got something to do with my house facing towards the Sun and they were coming in to try and hibernate."

The mother of two posted footage of the insect invasion to TikTok on the same day. The video has since been viewed more than one million times.

She said: "It's gone viral and comments from people all saying the same thing, they smell, they bite, they're hibernating from Asia - I don't know.

"I'm not good with any insects that move with legs, spiders, wasps - I'm just a no-go.

"I hoovered them up and went straight out into the garden and dropped them all on the grass to let them go.

"I've made sure my windows have been shut since."

Tips for householders

Like many insects, ladybirds enter a state of inactivity over winter known as diapause - an insect version of hibernation, so they can avoid the cold, harsh weather and emerge in spring when conditions are better.

This spring was the warmest and sunniest on record across the UK and was followed by the warmest summer on record, which led to a huge increase in the insect population.

Experts from The Wildlife Trusts suggest anyone who finds ladybirds on their window should leave them alone as the insects will not cause any damage to either you or surfaces.

However, if they do need to be moved, experts say the best thing to do is remove them gently and place them in a sheltered warm spot in a garden or an outbuilding.

Mrs Wilson added the ladybirds at her home had not returned since they were removed from the house.