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63air · 04-24-2016, 07:41 AM

I'm thinking about a trip down to the Keys this week but not if Love bug season is in full swing . So as of today 4/24/16 , What is happening with the Love bug season in the Florida? I hope it has passed, if not I'll probably head out on Rt66. Today's adventure is off to the farm to look for some morels.

SeaLevel · 04-24-2016, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 63air

I'm thinking about a trip down to the Keys this week but not if Love bug season is in full swing . So as of today 4/24/16 , What is happening with the Love bug season in the Florida? I hope it has passed, if not I'll probably head out on Rt66. Today's adventure is off to the farm to look for some morels.

We haven't had any issues with love bugs the last couple of times out, and we were traveling to the center of the state. A couple of months ago it was a different story. We live on the south Atlantic coast and don't really get them here because of the ocean breezes, but when we go a little ways inland we do run into them sometimes. It's easies if you wash them off as soon as possible if you do get hit.

We are headed to Lake Kissimmee State Park next weekend and I don't expect any love bug problems.

Protagonist · 04-24-2016, 07:54 AM

The "season" all along the Gulf Coast, from Texas to Florida, is all of May and all of September. Love bugs prefer air temperatures of 84°F or higher.

If you think love bugs are a nuisance, just remember, every mated pair that dies a gooey, squishy death on your windshield, headlights, or grille is one mated pair that didn't get to lay eggs!

So visiting the Gulf Coast to bag your limit of love bugs is a public service, and the most effective way to control this insect pest.

minddr · 04-24-2016, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 63air

I'm thinking about a trip down to the Keys this week but not if Love bug season is in full swing . So as of today 4/24/16 , What is happening with the Love bug season in the Florida? I hope it has passed, if not I'll probably head out on Rt66. Today's adventure is off to the farm to look for some morels.

None so far in Sarasota

khollister · 04-24-2016, 08:44 AM

Nothing in Orlando either - it is really too early. Last year was very light

Keith
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lewster · 04-24-2016, 08:52 AM

They're not in Naples yet either.

carl2591 · 04-24-2016, 09:01 AM

I remember seeing a vendor's motorhome that had come up from florida to do a show we produced in Raleigh covered with love bugs.. It was hard to tell the color of the MH up front as it appeared sorta blackish.

I can tell you he bagged his and some others limit that trip. they seem to be worse in the evening he as saying.. windshield wipers and solution had to be replaced after a while just to be able to see out the window..

that was bad for sure.

AWCHIEF · 04-24-2016, 09:02 AM

Little suckers are swarming on the Mississippi Gulf Coast now. Thankfully they are only annoying no biting or stinging.

Tater · 04-24-2016, 09:13 AM

They support the car wash business. I don't know of any critter that eats love bugs.

lewster · 04-24-2016, 09:33 AM

The biggest problem with the little pests is their acidic residual mess that is left after the do their kamikaze routine on the face of your vehicle. If you don't remove them ASAP after impact, expect to have little 'reminders' of their presence after washing.

I usually encounter them on my trip to Oregon each year (which starts next Sunday). I fully expect them along the Gulf route that I take. I found that I MUST wash the Sprinter (actually SCRUB it) daily if I want to remove all of their residue.

Nasty little buggars!!!

whippet201 · 04-24-2016, 10:19 AM

Blue Beacon Truck Washes work wonders!

Mrjkq · 04-24-2016, 11:18 AM

Non here in the Sarasota/Venice area. When they do hit I use wet dryer sheets to get them off, it works wonders as long as your remove the residue from the dryer sheets as it will dry on your paint finish & that becomes a whole new problem.

3wd67rg · 04-24-2016, 11:20 AM

What the heck is a love bug?

Protagonist · 04-24-2016, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PammieSue

What the heck is a love bug?

Normally harmless insects that are permanently joined at the hip to breed. They don't sting, bite, or suck blood. All they do is buzz around making whoopee until death do them part on the front end of your vehicle.

Rich W · 04-24-2016, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tater

They support the car wash business. I don't know of any critter that eats love bugs.

I have lived in/visited Florida on & off over the years. There is an urban myth that love bugs were an experiment at the University of Florida at reducing mosquitos, but it failed. Love bugs were first seen in Louisiana in 1911 and described in 1940 by D. E. Hardy. They have no natural enemies and seem to like hydrocarbons, so they hang around the highways.

To me, more so than the paint problem, is the issue with clogged radiators and air conditioning evaporators. I haven't lived there for a long time but my TV has a love bug screen in the storage compartment... just in case.

Protagonist · 04-24-2016, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richw46

I have lived in/visited Florida on & off over the years. There is an urban myth that love bugs were an experiment at the University of Florida at reducing mosquitos, but it failed. Love bugs were first seen in Louisiana in 1911 and described in 1940 by D. E. Hardy. They have no natural enemies and seem to like hydrocarbons, so they hang around the highways.

Considering how many species of birds eat insects, you'd think that at least one would find the little buggers (?) tasty, but no. Maybe it's all the hydrocarbons they inhale…

switz · 04-24-2016, 11:48 AM

When thy hit the windshield, one can truthfully say they won't have the guts to get in the way again.

slowmover · 04-24-2016, 02:35 PM

Rain X in several coats on glass. Scrubblades wipers. Wax vehicles.

Live bugs are irritating. Hitting a mass of killer bees something else.

Chevyman · 04-24-2016, 05:28 PM

As a Classic car owner, I pass on an old trick car guys going to car shows use: Spray the front of your vehicle with a spray cooking oil i.e. 'PAM' or equivalent. When you arrive at your destination, just hose off or use a spray bottle of water to rinse the affected area and the little suckers slide off. A piece of PLASTIC window screen across the grill will keep the radiators free of bugs also. Some people would wrap the front of their car with the screening. Trust me, they are waaay better than black flies or deer flies, whichever name floats your boat.