Hibernating Ladybirds

[PapaLazaru]

During the autumn a load of ladybirds decided to come and hibernate in my bedroom. I was a bit peeved at first, but then became happy that they chose me and I now feel like a bit of a father figure to them.

A few of the poor souls have departed this Earth during the winter, but I count them daily and I still have 27 sleeping live ones.

Now a few have started to walk about again and I did open the window a little to see if any of them wanted to leave but none did.

Does anyone know when they are likely to want to leave as I do want want to help them outside too early. I could not bear the thought of one of my 'children' freezing to death.

 

[Malt_Vinegar]

Is this a joke thread?

Googles says march/april. Any earlier, and they will starve. Your heating has woken them up premeturely. Now they will probably die.

 

[PapaLazaru]

It is all true, I was just trying to inject some humour.

 

[Mat]

lol

I guess when it warms up enough for their prey to be about, then they'll leave. Make sure they wear a vest and take a hankey and they will need a packed lunch too, at least for the first couple of days. Dont send them out without 20p for the public phones in case they need to call home in an emergency.

 

[Defcon5]

Get some pics up of your ladybird Fritzls lair

 

[greywolf]

I always wondered where ladybirds went in the winter, and now I know.

 

[Kazz]

I always wondered where ladybirds went in the winter, and now I know.

...Reading?

 

[V4NT0M]

TTIUWP, sounds like the start of a charming child's book.

 

[dekez]

Pics! How do you tell if they are dead or sleeping?! lol

 

[PapaLazaru]

Just uploading some pics.

They have had numerous lairs but keep fragmenting into other ones. I reckon their is some infighting going on. There are two main lairs, the rest of them are all running around again. have just opened the window a little to see if any of them want to go outside.

 

[Tripnologist]

haha. That's awesome.

 

[Hunders]

Pics! How do you tell if they are dead or sleeping?! lol

Put your ear close to hear their breath.

 

[Dark_Angel]

Oddly enough I had a lady bug or two that I would continue to spot throughout a lot of the winter and over xmas. It would stay in the bedroom and sit atop the TV there. A few times I even have spotted it near my salads after I've finished. O.o

 

[PapaLazaru]

This used to be the big lair but has dwindled from about 15 to 4. (omg I need to so some dusting)

A 'runner'.

One of the other lairs -

The other half are all running about. They are certainly looking more perky than they have for the last 2 months.

I reckon it will soon be time to say goodbye

 

[twist3d0n3]

we've got loads of them in our house; most of them have died but a few still remain.

we seem to only have the asian ones (black with red spots) so i'm quite glad they're dying (they kill our good ol' british ones apparently)

 

[Deadbeat]

Spiders are eating your children. Sorry to break it to you.

 

[PapaLazaru]

we've got loads of them in our house; most of them have died but a few still remain.

we seem to only have the asian ones (black with red spots) so i'm quite glad they're dying (they kill our good ol' british ones apparently)

Yeah keep them inside if they come anywhere near mine there will be trouble

 

[Beasty]

I have one hibernating on the light!

 

[dekez]

Well after not beliveing that ladybirds hibernated I did a bit of googling, looks like these are Harlequin Ladybirds and quite invasive. You might want to report their presence here:

http://www.harlequin-survey.org/

 

[twist3d0n3]

our house is like a prison anyway, all windows/doors sealed tight due to having crap 'student standard' heating...