Tuesday, November 11, 2014, 08:30 GMT – A combination of rain and warm weather has caused a boom in Romania’s ladybird population, with millions swarming the town of Lipova.
The insects seemingly came out of nowhere, invading the community overnight.
Residents had to border up their homes to stop the swarms of ladybirds 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.
Experts say the rise in ladybirds 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 ladybird boom.
Residents are hoping a frigid winter will put an end to the problem.
