It's lovebug time!

[fla4fun]

I saw a few lovebugs flying around while I was out running errands yesterday. So the spring lovebug season has begun. Remember, if you are driving, you need to wash the bugs off your car ASAP so they won't eat into the paint.

Hopefully this spring's infestation won't be nearly as bad as last September!

 

[susieq76]

Are they going to freak out my kids in September? Do you really see them much in the parks? We're going the 11th to 16th and its my first time during Love Bug time

 

[richard_andmel]

Last September we were there from the 8-24, and I have never seen anything like it. We usually go in May or September and although they are a nuisance, they aren't horrible. This was like something out of a horror film one day. We were at MGM, and the swarms were incredible... But I would still go back in September, because I think last year was a bit of a fluke.

 

[fla4fun]

There were a lot of horror stories about last September's lovebugs. I've lived in Florida over 25 years, and I've never seen them even close to what they were last September. So hopefully they won't be too bad. The main complaint at the resorts was around the pool and at the bus stops. The lovebugs seem to be drawn to the color white (think pool chairs/towels and benches) so those places were bad. I noticed them a lot on the riverboat in the MK and some benches there, but they're white too.

The good thing is they don't bite or sting. They're just a nuisance.

 

[suzimar57]

we were also there this past september (2nd week) and have never, ever seen anything like the infestation of lovebugs we saw then!

they were on every white surface - it was impossible to sit on any bench at the bus stops, they were covered in bugs

ugh!

 

[lucky978]

I agree! We were there last September and were shocked at how many there were. The worst was at Typhoon Lagoon.

And although they are nasty to look at - they are harmless.

I'm contemplating returning this September and was just thinking this morning about how there were so many of them. Hopefully it won't be as bad this year.

 

[alldiz]

OP....since they are starting.....
How long do they usually last...

I'll be going to wdw on 5-22....do you think they
will be dwindling by then.....or peaking?
thanks
Kerri

 

[HGD24]

OK...so what the heck are these lovebugs I keep reading about?

 

[fla4fun]

Since they are just starting, I would say they'll be around for at least three weeks, and possibly four. It all depends on how bad they'll be. In September, the worst of them lasted for about a week, but there were some around for a week or so before and after the really bad week. You may still see some by the 22nd, but I woud think the worst would be past.

 

[disnut8]

Yea!!! I know we are in the minority but we love the love bugs. We look forward to our Memorial Day and Labor Day weekend visits. We drive from north Georgia and only had one time that the bugs were overwhelming. We use the windshield washing stuff at gas stops on the way down and back. We'll just have to remember to put the top back up if we take our convertible. Love the love bugs!!!

 

[Big Vic]

OK...so what the heck are these lovebugs I keep reading about?

Here ya go.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/BODY_MG068

 

[anne0866]

We were there last September and saw them every where too.
However, they are nothing compared to awful black flies that
that we have here in the woods of NH.
Didn't mind the love bugs at all -

We are hoping to go again this September.
Just remeber - Love bugs are a small price price to pay for free dining
and near non-existent crowds!

 

[D&R love Disney]

We saw a few in St Pete last weekend.

 

[faindrops27]

I use to hate all bugs. I mean, I was the type to get my husband to kill a carpenter ant. I have lived in my home, 10 years with an acre of land, and because of the bugs, I would never garden. I told my husband, he would have to get me a full bee suit, with helmet, and screened hat, if he ever wanted a garden. Bugs, just got to me. Not to mention flying ones. Well, when I went in September. I had no choice, but to adapt, they were everywhere. When my son and I went to Universal. There was literally a wall of them, in my path. No getting around them. I felt overwhelmed, for the first few days of them. Especially when, I would find one, crawling on my leg, or on my hand. But, as the days progressed. I got use to just swatting them away. I think in some way though those lovebugs, gave me some type of therapy, because, now I am working on my first garden. I however still dont like to see a cluster of them. Yuck! But, hopefully they wont be to bad this year

 

[matdrew]

somone told me that last time I was at disney.

 

[travellovingirl]

When do love bugs begin in Sept? We will be there 8/28-9/2. Hopefully, later than these dates!!

 

[bradk]

somone told me that last time I was at disney.

not according to snopes.com

http://www.snopes.com/critters/lurkers/lovebugs.asp

they are fascinating, but annoying. i agree with all of the above. last september was horrendous.

 

[mommyseven]

Lovebugs are harmless. Just flick them off of you if they land on you. They don't bite or sting or buzz. A lot of times when they land on you, you don't feel it. They don't feel particular crawly as other bugs do. The main problem is brushing them off of surfaces to sit down if they get real bad. For those of us who live in lovebug central, we have to deal with them on our vehicles and wash our cars more often.

Btw, lizards and praying mantis' don't like to eat them. I believe they are too acidy for most critters. As a kid I tried to feed them to various critters but they didn't like them. Otherwise all the bug eaters would be in heaven during lovebug season.

 

[fla4fun]

When do love bugs begin in Sept? We will be there 8/28-9/2. Hopefully, later than these dates!!

They SHOULD be later than those dates, but I wouldn't be surprised if they started at the beginning of the month. May and September are general guidelines, but they can show up a little earlier or later.

 

[Tikihula]

I agree September 2006 was the worst infestation ever. We went to an outdoor birthday celebration with a catered fish fry lunch. The white canopy tent was covered with a solid wall of love bugs, as were the white drink coolers. Everyone who wore a white blouse or shirt was constantly flicking them off. Other colors weren't nearly as popular with the love bugs.

When I lived in Daytona Beach years ago I was out watering my garden in the early evening and the love bugs that were disturbed by the water were flying into the air. All of a sudden the air was filled with swooping dragonflies that were grabbing the love bugs, so I think they may be a predator of the pesky little critters. I'm glad SOMETHING likes to eat them, and I wish there were more dragonflies in the southeast, as maybe they could keep the love bugs under control.