Invasive bugs looking for warm spot to hibernate, says entomologist

With the weather getting colder Agriculture Canada entomologist Christine Noronha says some insects are looking for a place to hibernate and a warm home is the perfect place.

"They are trying to find these overwinteringsites, so they're cold-blooded and they move towards our houses."

Two of the insectsNoronhasaid she is hearing about areAsian ladybeetles and the leaf-footed bug.

TheAsian ladybeetle is a non-native species to Canada and was first found in P.E.I. in 1998.

"It's a predator like all other ladybeetles but in the winter it tends to aggregate. So they're aggregating and coming closer to the houses. Some are finding their way into houses."

Noronhasaid if the population of the Asian ladybeetle grows, they can last longer in the season and cause damage to fruit crops like grapes and pears.

Ensure house is sealed properly

While the leaf-footed bug was once found only in western Canada, it is now found on the Island as well.

Noronhadescribes the hind legs on the bug as being a bit wider, making it look like a leaf.

"It feeds on conifers, the seeds of conifers so any kind of pine, Douglas fir, those kinds of trees."

Noronhasaid theleaf-footed bug overwinters as an adult.

"They're pretty big...they're coming in or they're trying to find their way in."

Noronhasaid thebest way to prevent the insects from getting in is to make sure windows and doors are properly sealed.

"Make sure your vents have screening on them."

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