If you are going in September (or May) prepare yourself. Mentally. Becuse there ins nothing that you can do about them. They are there. They are there to do what the are intended to do.
Check out this site:
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MG068
Larvae Aid Growing Plants
Female lovebugs lay from 100 to 350 eggs which are deposited beneath decaying vegetation. Larvae (immature stage) feed on decaying plant material and live on the soil surface just beneath the decaying organic matter. Larvae perform a beneficial function by converting the plant material into organic components which can again be used by the growing plants. After larvae mature, they transform into pupae. The pupal stage requires about 7 to 10 days.
Adult lovebugs are harmless and do not sting or bite. They feed on the nectar of various plants, especially sweet clover, goldenrod and brazilian pepper. Usually, lovebug flights are restricted to daylight hours and temperatures above 68°F. At night lovebugs rest on low growing vegetation.
Yes, the love bugs are a PITA to drivers but this is very interesting:
Traveling at slower speeds will reduce the number of bugs that will be spattered. A large screen placed in the front of the grill will keep the radiator fins from clogging, and will protect the finish on the front of the car. If a large screen is not used in front of the grill, at least place a small screen behind the grill in front of the radiator.
Spattered bugs should be washed off the car as soon as possible. Lovebugs are more easily removed, and the chance of damaging the car's finish is lessened if the car has been waxed recently. When the remains are left on an unwaxed car for several days, the finish will often be permanently damaged. Soaking for several minutes with water aids in their removal. When lovebugs are numerous, some motorists spread a light film of baby oil over the front of the hood, above the windshield and on the grill and bumper. This practice will make their removal a simpler task.
And from wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_bug
Adult females live only 2-3 days.
Its character as a public nuisance is due not to its bite or sting (as it is not capable of either),
There are those that don't like love bugs but I'm always reminded of Medicine Man with Sean Connery. He discovers the cure for cancer but the construction vehicles destroy the ants that provided the sugar for the syrum for the cure.
over bugs
thanks everyone for the replies. i really haven't said to much to him about them (why get him all worried when they may not be bad) we are staying at the poly just for 4 nights then doing 4 night cruise and i know they wont bother him on the ship.
