Ladybirds

Haven't seen them this year - yet, but a few years ago we had hundreds of them gathering around the doors and windows. A neighbour said they seek warmth as the weather gets colder and warm air often escapes around doors and windows. Doesn't say much for our double glazing does it! Ladybirds I can live with but spiders.... oh no, No, NOOO!!

Not lots but I did notice one on the indoor windowsill earlier this week.

I wondered where they'd all gone ShazzaK, now I know.
I haven't seen a ladybird here all year.

They come inside out of the cold as they are looking for somewhere to hibernate through the winter.
They are believed to be attracted to each other to do this through smell.

Some of you may be interested in the Ladybird Survey which started in the 1960s.

www.coleoptera.org.uk/coccinellidae/home/

We have posted ladybirds to them (in a matchbox with a blob of banana) when we have been unable to identify particularly odd ladybirds.
I think they are fascinating.

I hope you gently put your ladybirds in a shed or similar to overwinter? A leafy, sheltered dry corner of the garden would do...
They often cluster together in the winter but they are better outside in a safe corner as if we put our heating on they can wake up too early.
😒

There were different coloured ones as well they weren’t all red. If grandson hadn’t opened the doors we would have never known they were there but I’m squeamish so I couldn’t leave them.