David Cook, an entomologist and Davidson County extension agent, said the insects typically surface in the fall, but this year the population has skyrocketed thanks to perfect conditions.
Cook said the multi-colored Asian Lady Beetles are simply looking for warmth and shelter, and are drawn to light colored structures. The insects are not harmful to humans, but do omit a strange odor. More than anything, they are just a nuisance to residents.
The infestation isn't limited to Tennessee. Swarms of the ladybugs have been spotted throughout the Midwest, parts of the Northeast and even in Canada.
