Swarms of ladybugs with STDs are invading homes!  There is a new type of ladybug arriving in masses, bringing with them STDs - so be careful who you let sit on your shoulder.

People have been spotting the disease-ridden bugs - also known as Harlequin Ladybirds - looking for cozy hibernation spots in living rooms, kitchens and bedrooms, according to The Evening News.

The infected ladybugs first appeared in Britain in 2004 and since then the cannibalistic ladybugs have mounted the fastest alien invasion ever according to The Guardian.

They have even raided across borders and have flown into North America and Asia, taking advantage of mild autumn winds to pursue hibernation spots.

The foreign bugs eat native ladybirds as well as butterfly eggs and other insects.

The species are usually bigger than those which we are commonly accustomed to, such as the two-spot ladybug, and could pose a threat to native species because of the STD they carry, called Laboulbeniales fungal disease.

It is unclear how harmful the STD could be, but it is believed it could affect lifespan, or even the number of eggs a female ladybug can produce, which is concerning considering that native species are already threatened by habitat loss.

Harlequin ladybirds carrying the disease could greatly affect our native bugs by passing on the fungus.

And, as the population of the insects is already dwindling, it could lead to the numbers falling even more.

If you are finding ladybugs in your house, it is likely they are Harlequins, as native species tend to hibernate in trees.

Many people reported large clusters of the bugs in their homes this week.

The bugs have been seen clustering around boilers, window frames and smoke detectors as they bed down for winter.

Aaron Greenwood shared a photograph of the bugs assembling around a light in his apartment.

He said: “I noticed all the articles on social media regarding the invasion. I was with a close friend having lunch and we both noticed a small insect flying around the room.

“My friend made a comment that it was a fly I could tell it was a ladybird as am a nature fanatic. This ladybird flew near my light on my living room roof.

“At closer inspection I could see three more, so I got a straw and envelope and put them in a container and got them outside.”

Debbie Phil Tighe wrote: “I’ve had them today all over my front door and a few inside of my window at the top of the stairs.”

Andrea Atkins posted: “My windows are covered in them and had a few in the house.”

(Image: Margaret Yescombe / SWNS.com)

“They usually cluster around window frames and they cluster together to gather heat and hibernate in winter months.”

The creatures are generally not harmful to people, although they may bite if food is not available, which could result in a small bump or sting. In extreme cases, people can have severe allergic reactions.

How do you get rid of them?

If the little critters have invaded your home, you may want leave them be, as they sometimes secrete a yellow substance when disturbed, which could stain your furnishings... 

The bugs can also leave behind a nasty chemical smell in the home. They can also crawl over your furniture, leaving unsightly stains.
Experts advise that the best and most humane way to remove them from your home is with a glass and a piece of card.

The bugs carry a chemical that, if it touches a surface, could ruin furniture. So it’s probably best not to crush them.

sources: metro.co.uk / wikipedia / wikimedia