What’s not to like about ladybugs?

They’re cute. They’re colorful, and they’re even beneficial in the garden — eating other pests that damage plants.

However, every fall, many homeowners discover a downside to these insects as the winter invasion begins.

Unlike other species of ladybugs that die off every winter, the multi-colored Asian lady beetle, which typically has a yellowish to bright orange shell with black spots, can live up to three years. However, the beetle’s survival depends on finding a relatively warm place to hole up for the winter.

In nature, the bugs would hide out in the hollow of a tree or under a layer of bark, but with so many warm and cozy houses around, many of the beetles decide to spend the winter inside.

Becoming a pest

While a few ladybugs might not be much of a ...