Many folks taking to enjoying the seasonally above-average temperatures in the city on Tuesday wonât have been able to help but notice the sudden explosion in numbers of Multicoloured Asian Lady Beetles out and about.
Distinguished by a black âMâ marking on their front the bugs vary in colour and can currently be seen crawling and flying about, often finding their way into homes.
Though not dangerous, the non-native bug is known to bite and secrete an orange liquid when disturbed.
According to an article published by the University of Minnesota Department of Entomology, the beetles in the fall migrate from fields and forests where they feed during the warmer months in search of protected spots to overwinter. That migration begins on the first day of temperatures exceeding 18 degrees after a cold spell of temperatures dropping to near freezing. The area is of course in the midst of a pattern of weather that meets that exact description, including todayâs present temperature in Brandon of 20 degrees following Mondayâs peak of 18.9 degrees.
According to David Lane, Branch Manager of Brandon's Poulin's Pest Control, insecticides are available however vacuuming is the most suited way to remove the bugs from the home when they enter in larger numbers.
That weather pattern is about to go through a major change in the other direction, as per a Special Weather Statement currently in place for all of Southern Manitoba. The normal temperature for October 8 is plus 13.5 degrees, with a coming cold front forecast to lead to a high of just +5 on Wednesday.