A woman was left in shock after noticing something moving on her home walls, and her terror escalated when she took a closer look.
Laura Wilson had just returned home when she spotted a flurry of activity. She discovered small red and black insects swarming her walls and was at a loss about what to do next, so she sought advice on TikTok.
Her video, captioned: “POV: Your house is being invaded,” has now garnered one million views and over 26,000 likes, with many users expressing their surprise and sharing their own eerie ladybird experiences. The 32-year-old customer service advisor from Leicester told What’s The Jam: “This is the second time it has happened this year; however, it seems to happen every year around the same time on really hot days.
“They only come in one window, so all windows were open, but just my landing window, and I think this is because this side of the house is sun-facing. There have been at least 100 on my walls, and there must be still at least another hundred in my window sills now.
“The majority of the comments on social media are saying they are hibernating, they like the white walls, and that they like the heat.” While many people consider ladybirds harmless and not a cause for concern, Laura feels very differently.
She added: “I am petrified of anything that has legs, so I had to get rid of them as soon as [possible]. Especially when they start flying, they just make me feel all yuck!
“I hoovered them up and put them back outside on the grass. TikTok comments are also saying to [put] vinegar, washing up liquid, citronella, or lavender oil [on] your window sills.”
Currently, harlequin ladybirds are mainly found in the south-east of the country, though it has slowly been pushing further north into the Midlands, and they carry sexually transmitted diseases. Fortunately, these cannot pass to humans.
Households in the UK have been urged to act as these ladybirds ‘carrying STDs’ have been invading homes this week.
In Laura’s viral clip, she sweeps the camera around the room, exposing dozens of ladybirds clustered in corners, gaps, and openings.
TikTok users rapidly responded to the footage. Sophie said: “As someone who has a phobia… this is horrifying.”
Jayde added: “I noticed the outside of my house was absolutely covered today! Freaked me out!” Lyndsey remarked: “Loads our way have to say – all over the windows and front door.”
Sarah shared: “I am STRESSED right now about it.” Sian joked: “I’d move out.” Summer, less frightened of the insects, quipped: “I’ll take them over the spiders that keep turning up everywhere in my house.”
Another TikTok user commented: “I’d break down. Absolutely petrified of them.” According to Pest UK, this kind of swarming is typical in late autumn as temperatures plummet and ladybirds start hunting for cosy, protected spots to overwinter.
Houses, sheds and attics are all perfect locations for them to settle in. And while they don’t bite or transmit illness, ladybirds can leave behind nasty orange-ish marks and odours when distressed, as well as causing harm to soft furnishings and paintwork.
Pest control specialists advise blocking small openings around windows and doors to stop them entering, and applying a residual insecticide if invasions become a repeated issue. For the time being, Laura is hoping the pests will move on and find a new place to inhabit.
Until then, it’s just Laura and her vacuum cleaner battling against the unwelcome visitors.