Lovebugs in Florida
 

My husband and I are going to Siesta Key for a week on the beach in May. I have heard about bugs called "lovebugs" that are very abundant certain times in Florida. Does anyone know anything about them, and are they really that bad? Are they all over the coast of that area???? Thanks in advance.

Jan, Plecia Nearctica, aka "lovebugs" are a fact of life along the I-75 corridor in Florida for a few weeks in May and September. They're harmless, they don't bite, they just mate in mid-air. For many years, they made driving along highways treacherous until someone told the highway department that lovebugs seek our freshly mown grass. Now, the grass remains unmowed for about two weeks in those two months, and gooey windshields are less of a problem.<BR><BR>Lovebugs do travel in swarms; but you can see those swarms from a fair distance. My advice: enjoy Siesta Key and don't smile if you're riding a motorcycle.

Even if the love bugs are loving in the grass, I still recommend a bug screen for your car. I don't care if a bug screen is ugly, I don't like bug innards all over my grill and radiator.<BR>Love bugs are not the only flying varmints in Georgia and Florida.<BR><BR>The splat rate can get as high as 1 per second!!

You want to wash them off asap. The longer they're stick to your car, the harder they are to remove and can damage the paint. Some carwashes offer a special treatment to make the removal of lovebugs easier. I haven't decided if that really works.

Sal is right! I've always heard that they will take the paint off your car if left on. Do NOT leave them on for long. Run your car thru a car wash if you run thru them!

Of all the bugs we have in Florida... and there are many, I had not considered lovebugs a problem, especially on the coast. Funny. I do know about Skeeters and no-see-ums. Whatever you do, do not fail to have bug spray close at hand at sunrise and set if you are heading out doors along the coast. If not, you will be eaten alive (especially during hurricane season). Ah nature...