Lovebugs

[magpiemare]

Can anyone tell me when the fall lovebugs come out? We are planning our vacation in TV
and would like to avoid those nasty little demons if possible.

[MnGirl]

The month of September.

[redwitch]

May AND September! Just remember, they're annoying but harmless unless you happen to be a car whose owner is too lazy to wash it off after a drive through a swarm.

[trumbull]

I have a question, once they appear how long do they last. Is there a period of days when then they are especially bad, if yes how many.

What about in the evening in Sumter Landing listening to the music, traveling by golf cart or playing golf in the morning or afternoon. Are people bothered by them while doing the prior three things.

[Indy-Guy]

I have seen a few already. Can't seem to find anything that states how long but if I remember correctly a couple of weeks or so.

Check out this website for more information.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MG068

[TVQueen]

It was my experience to have encountered these pests in March as well. We tried eating lunch outdoors and had to promptly move because these things dive bomb not only your food but your face and anything else they can bump into. They congregate in swarms and yes, they drive you nuts when you golf, drive golf cart (unless totally enclosed). They own the outdoors!! I am not sure how long they last, but I didn't stick around to find out.

[redwitch]

This will be my third season of the things. They seem to last about a month, give or take a few days. They usually go away (die, nest for the night?, bug another area -- actually, I think die) around sunset, come back about an hour after sunrise or so. They do like asphalt, so freeways get nice, large swarms of them.

For those who have had the "joy" of experiencing them longer than me, please feel free to correct or add other salient facts.

[Prizmz]

What are the suggested methods of cleaning the little critters off the car?

[redwitch]

Well, for the rental I had, taking it through a car wash seemed to get most of them. Of course, I didn't know the damage they did or I might have made sure they did a more thorough job. I do know that with my car, I just hose it down and wash normally and wipe and that seemed to take care of it last year.

[Donna]

Love Bugs...http://www.millan.net/minimations/toolminis/loevbug1.gif (http://www.millan.net)EWWWWW
This is the only time I don't miss TV...http://www.millan.net/minimations/toolminis/loevbug1.gif (http://www.millan.net)http://www.millan.net/minimations/toolminis/loevbug1.gif (http://www.millan.net)http://www.millan.net/minimations/toolminis/loevbug1.gif (http://www.millan.net)http://www.millan.net/minimations/toolminis/loevbug1.gif (http://www.millan.net)http://www.millan.net/minimations/toolminis/loevbug1.gif (http://www.millan.net)http://www.millan.net/minimations/toolminis/loevbug1.gif (http://www.millan.net)http://www.millan.net/minimations/toolminis/loevbug1.gif (http://www.millan.net)

[Midge538]

If you spray the front of your car with Pam, it will make it much easier to wipe or wash the lovebugs off. Don't let them dry and stay on the car as they are acidic and can eat into the finish.

[mfp509]

Someone told me to spray Pam on the bumper and the lovebugs would be easy to wash off. I don't know if they use Pam on the front of the hood or not. I've never tried it. I just use Bug and Tar remover and wash off. I agree it's a nuisance but considering my life in TV - that is peanuts to worry about for the time they are here.

Midge538 - guess we were posting at the same time.

[villages07]

I did the PAM trick last year.....I sprayed it on and left it for a few days...when I tried to clean it off it was gunky and adhered pretty well to the plastic covering on the front/grill area. I read somewhere later to spray it on before a trip and wipe it off as soon as possible not to leave it on to be "baked" in.

[jjdees]

If you're on the road and need to clean your windshield, buy a bottle of Coke Classic and use it to get the critters off, then wash with water.

[Donna]

OMG Coke Classic??? :o I can just imagine what my insides look like after drinking Coke all these years.. :yikes: ...:yikes:.... :yikes:..... :yikes:.... :yikes:..... :yikes:..... :yikes:...... :yikes: :yikes:

That is the only thing I will drink!

:yikes:

[mmclover]

This wanna be wants to know what is a love bug?

[mfp509]

I can't wait to read the answers to mmclover's question.

[Donna]

I have seen a few already. Can't seem to find anything that states how long but if I remember correctly a couple of weeks or so.

Check out this website for more information.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MG068


Indy Guy posted this article on love bugs..This should explain every thing...

[mmclover]

mfp,

I didn't realize I made a joke. You have to realize I live at an entirely different end of the country. Most of our bug die in the cold winter.

[mfp509]

mmclover -
I didn't mean anything sarcastic or making fun of you for the question. It is a perfectly legitimate question, it's the answer that could be funny to explain and I thought maybe some others might have a humorous answer for you. In a nutshell, these bugs are hitched together making love - they fly like that - that's why they are called lovebugs. Please don't be offended, that certainly was not intended. I wouldn't do that to anyone.