Rain, warm weather cause millions of ladybugs to descend on Romanian town
Photo credit: Gilles San Martin/Flickr
Digital Reporter
Tuesday, November 11, 2014, 1:51 PM - A combination of rain and warm weather has caused a boom in Romania's ladybug population, with millions swarming the town of Lipova.
The bugs seemingly came out of nowhere, invading the community overnight.
Residents had to border up their homes to stop the swarms of bugs from getting inside. City Hall has tried to contain the insects with pesticides, but they just keep coming.
"I swept up tens of thousands of them with a broom and shovel and took them outside but more and more arrive all the time," one resident told reporters.
"I had my window open for a few minutes and when I closed it they were like a living carpet," said another.
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Experts say the rise in ladybugs is due to a rise in the greenflies they like to dine on, prompted by heavy rainfall. That -- combined with unseasonably warm weather -- has led to a ladybug boom so big that literally has the bugs piling up.
Residents are hoping a frigid winter will put an end to the problem.
Experts say that a mild winter could make the ladybug population jump even higher next year.
