Householders warned as invasion of ladybirds with STDs arrives in Gloucestershire

Gloucestershire householders are being warned to look out for swarms of ladybirds with an STD that are invading homes across the country.

The Harlequin Ladybirds have flown in their home country.

But experts say we should not get too much of the cause because of the sexually-transmitted disease called Laboulbeniales fungal disease.

Hibernation spots in our homes.

The bugs are flying in Asia and North America and can be spotted because they are black instead of red wings.

It was introduced to North America in 1988 and first arrived in Britain in summer 2004 when they were spotted in southeast of England.

But this week there have been many reports of large clusters of bugs in living rooms, kitchens and bedrooms across the country.

Residents have seen clustering around boilers, window frames and smoke detectors.

One Gloucester said: "I was walking through Brunswick Square and they seemed to have taken a fancy to the frontage of one of the buildings.

"They were everywhere, it's crazy, it must be the change of weather.

Aaron Greenwood shared a photograph of the bugs – it said he would let them stay.

He told the Manchester Evening News: "I noticed all the articles on social media regarding the ladybird invasion.

"I was with a small friend flying in 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 fanatic nature. This layby 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."

Steve McGrail, Pro Kill Environment, Director of the Pest Control Company, said Harlequin Ladybirds are not harmful to humans.

He said: "They are a non-indigenious species. They are coming inside large numbers.

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

Scientists say a fungus the creatures carry, which is passed on through the mating, will be infected with us.

While they do not know the fungus is harmful, the UK Ladybird Survey says it is possible the disease affects the lifespan of the eggs.