[rosalind dna (OP)]

Every winter, I have noticed the ladybirds with the red background and black spots
in the cracks of the windows also sometimes on the curtains/rails and even the corners of the ceilings.

Why does this happen because the frames of the said windows are metallic??

Is it a reason for the ladybirds to nest in my windows and the rest of the home??

Thanks says a worried Rosalind

[Variola]

There you go...

Adult ladybirds hibernate through the winter in sheltered places amongst dense vegetation, leaf-litter, under tree bark etc., or inside buildings, outhouses and sheds. They often invade houses, nestling around doors and window frames, or in the folds of curtains. If you find these sleepy individuals, have a thought to their future value in controlling garden pests - it takes little time to coax them carefully into a jar and move them to a garden shed, hedge bottom or other sheltered place outside, where they can finish their winter sleep. Some ladybirds become strongly gregarious as winter approaches and huddle together in large clusters, sometimes consisting of several hundred individuals. The reason for this behaviour is unknown, but it certainly can provide a colourful display.

http://www.kendall-bioresearch.co.uk/lbird.htm

[Don_1]

Your winter lodgers will be a fine attribute to your garden in the spring/summer. Ladybirds are a great natural way to control aphids, so are these Lacewings, their larvae can get through 100's of green, black & whitefly. Whitefly are the real pain in the proverbial, Ladybirds & Lacewings are the best defense against these buggers.

[Karsten]

Ladybirds are ladybugs?

[rosalind dna (OP)]

There you go...

Adult ladybirds hibernate through the winter in sheltered places amongst dense vegetation, leaf-litter, under tree bark etc., or inside buildings, outhouses and sheds. They often invade houses, nestling around doors and window frames, or in the folds of curtains. If you find these sleepy individuals, have a thought to their future value in controlling garden pests - it takes little time to coax them carefully into a jar and move them to a garden shed, hedge bottom or other sheltered place outside, where they can finish their winter sleep. Some ladybirds become strongly gregarious as winter approaches and huddle together in large clusters, sometimes consisting of several hundred individuals. The reason for this behaviour is unknown, but it certainly can provide a colourful display.

http://www.kendall-bioresearch.co.uk/lbird.htm

Variola yes I would put them into a jar but I am not quick enough and I'm aware of what a lot of good the ladybirds/ladybugs do to our gardens.

RD Thanks for reminding me, I was aware of the good that ladybirds do for gardens and nature too.

Ladybirds are ladybugs?

Karsten yes in the UK we call Ladybugs - Ladybirds anyway I do.

[ukmicky]

Yep ,during the winter i have often heard that unforgettable cracking sound of hibernating lady birds being squashed as i open and close my bedroom window.

[rosalind dna (OP)]

Yep ,during the winter i have often heard that unforgettable cracking sound of hibernating lady birds being squashed as i open and close my bedroom window.

Micky I know that I shouldn't really suggest this but have you ever tried hoovering/vacuuming up the ladybirds/ladybugs??? I do and
it makes a funny noise.

[ukmicky]

NO. My but my son came home drunk once when he was 15 and was sick in his bedroom. In an attemp to get rid of the evidence he tryed hovering it up. It didnt work, i cleaned it out but everytime we used it for about a year afterwards all you could smell was vomit.

[rosalind dna (OP)]

NO. My but my son came home drunk once when he was 15 and was sick in his bedroom. In an attemp to get rid of the evidence he tryed hovering it up. It didnt work, i cleaned it out but everytime we used it for about a year afterwards all you could smell was vomit.

Micky thanks for the details and I can imagine that but I am
rather concerned about the ladybirds hibernating (or not) in the
cracks of the frames of the my windows which are made from metal mainly.

I wonder if that's got anything to do with it. Luckily they've all gone now.