Swarms of ladybirds invading UK homes as expert explains phenomenon

Brits have reported seeing ‘swarms’ of ladybugs in recent days with the distinctive red and black creatures making their way into UK homes.

Many people have taken to social media to express their shock at the number of bugs spotted in their local areas.

One person wrote on X: “I don’t know what’s going on but there’s loads of ladybirds outside casually swarming around my house!”

A second added: “Ladybirds, everywhere! Is this the equivalent of flying ant day?”

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However, an expert has said that there is a reasonable explanation for the large amount of ladybirds seen in recent days.

The sudden surge in sightings can be explained by ladybirds’ annual autumn migration as they seek shelter ahead of the colder months.

Professor Helen Roy at the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology and University of Exeter told the Manchester Evening News : “Winter is a tough time for ladybirds in Britain and so during the winter months they become dormant.

“Each species has a favoured place to spend the winter – some such as harlequin ladybirds enter buildings while 7-spot ladybirds tuck themselves under leaf litter.

“At this time of year they are moving around to find a good place to overwinter. On warm early October days many ladybirds will be seen flying around in search of a winter habitat.”

Warm, sunny spells in early October can trigger the insects to start flying in search of somewhere cosy to spend the winter.

This is why so many are being spotted around the UK this week.

The ladybirds’ instinct to find warm, sheltered places often leads them indoors.

Max Barclay, Senior Curator of Beetles at the Natural History Museum, said in a blog post: “There are a number of species of ladybirds that hibernate in big clusters.

“Ancestrally harlequin ladybirds would probably have hibernated in big clusters in caves, hollow trees and other sheltered places.”