Why so many ladybirds are swarming UK houses

Like many insects, Ladybirds becomes an inactivity known as Diapause in winter – the insect version of hibernation. It is as if they are ‘pushing pauses’ in their lives, so they can avoid cold, harsh weather and appear in spring when the conditions are better.

Professor of Zoology of Leeds University Elizabeth Duncan explains why Ladybirds appears in herds at this time of the year.

He says: “They are gathering together to find shelter and stable conditions. Insects are ectotermic, that means that they cannot regulate their own body temperature and are dependent on their environment, so they need to find points where they can insulate and prevent freezing.”

“They need heat and energy to fly, so what we see right now is that they benefit from good air to find the right place to go down for the winter.”

Often, this comfortable point will look like a window threshold, because Ladybirds can easily squeeze from small gaps around the loose assembly windows.