Love Bugs EWWWW!!!

[midge3426]

I noticed that they seemed to like shady areas. They were all over the bus stops and were loitering on the outside walkways at the resorts. When we were taking our luggage into the room, several flew in.

They were hanging around the ticket area at the parks. One cast member was excellent with her towel popping them out of her way.

There was one day that they were so obnoxious at the bus stands, that I stood out in the sun to avoid them. That worked.

 

[tcp0421]

Does BugSpray work on them... my DW is an avid bug hater!!!!

I read somewhere that bug spray does not work on them.

 

[madcat]

we were there the 27th of Sept. through the 3rd of Oct. last year and they were still enjoying the parks and resorts as much as the rest of us. I live in South Carolina so we were used to them. Now I never saw anything as bad as the above picture taken at a bus stop so maybe they were on the way out

 

[shyjade]

We were there last year Sept. 27-30 and the Love Bugs were the worst when we arrived, and not nearly as bad a few days later when we left.

We thought the bugs were the worst at the bus stops at the parks.

We took ME to AKL and on the way stopped to drop off at CSR; the bugs were SUPER BAD at CSR (glad we didn't have to get off the bus) and not nearly as bad at AKL.

That was our Love Bug experience last September.

 

[cutedisneygirly]

Thanks for the info about the love bugs in May!!! I figure the only other time we would be able to have the wedding and not pay peak rates would be January. Ugh!!! I don't want a cold, foggy wedding, so I will deal with the love bugs!!! I will just think: It's better than mosquitos!

 

[TinkerBelle314]

The bugs tend to show up only during daylight and are at their worst in the hottest part of the day - usually between 11:30 - 3 p.m. This is the reason they're attracted to the Disney buses, the heat near the back of the buses attracts them.


QUOTE]

I agree with this. We were there at the end of May this year and it was the worst we have experienced. What I noticed is they are the worst from 11-3ish... AND I noticed there were really bad around plants or flowers. Epcot had the Flower and Garden show so we seem to run into the most around these areas...

They really are not THAT bad... I am HATE HATE bugs and I could tolerate them.

You seem to be more optimistic. So speaking honestly, are they so bad that my children will be uncomfortable or EXTREMELY bothered by them. We chose mid September to go since school would be in and the lines low. Now Im just concerned these little guys are going to ruin our great trip. Any insight?

 

[mrs_incredible]

If this helps anyone - I live in southern LA (just north of the lake) and our love bugs are starting to come out now. I've only seen a few so far. We didn't have any this past May, so I hope this will be a short season in September. And for those driving through them - we tried the wet Bounce dryer sheets to scrub them off the grill of our truck. It really does help and doesn't mess up the paint.

 

[ocalla]

The bugs have arrived!! I started noticing them just this week.

We have gone to Disney in September a couple of times, and never really noticed them over there.

I am not sure when the season is over. It can't EVER be TOO soon!!!

 

[TinkerBelle314]

So how long does this love bug season last? Do you think they will mostly be gone in two weeks if they have already been around close to a week? My youngest daughter HATES any kind of bugs. Flies and ladybugs even freak her out. I'm just afraid that if they are large in number when we arrive she will hate it and never want to go back because she will associate Disney with bugs. I'm sure I'm thinking way too much about this. It is just our first time as a family and I want it to be great fun!

 

[Lynne M]

So how long does this love bug season last? Do you think they will mostly be gone in two weeks if they have already been around close to a week? My youngest daughter HATES any kind of bugs. Flies and ladybugs even freak her out. I'm just afraid that if they are large in number when we arrive she will hate it and never want to go back because she will associate Disney with bugs. I'm sure I'm thinking way too much about this. It is just our first time as a family and I want it to be great fun!

I hate to say it, but I went the last few days of September last year, and the love bugs were terrible. So, I think they're still going to be around for your trip.

Now, I may be way off base with this, but I'm desperately trying to find something positive to tell you.. ...

Is it possible that this might actually help her get over her fear of bugs? I mean, unless the love bug season miraculously ends early this year, she's going to be confronted with dozens of these things, all day, every day. Yes, she'll no doubt be hysterical at first, but you can't stay hysterical, non-stop, for a week. Sooner or later she's going to see that they aren't hurting her in any way, and she'll relax and notice that there's all kinds of fun stuff going on around her. Think of it as aversion therapy?

Or, maybe not. As I said, I'm trying to think happy thoughts for you....

 

[TinkerBelle314]

I hate to say it, but I went the last few days of September last year, and the love bugs were terrible. So, I think they're still going to be around for your trip.

Now, I may be way off base with this, but I'm desperately trying to find something positive to tell you.. ...

Is it possible that this might actually help her get over her fear of bugs? I mean, unless the love bug season miraculously ends early this year, she's going to be confronted with dozens of these things, all day, every day. Yes, she'll no doubt be hysterical at first, but you can't stay hysterical, non-stop, for a week. Sooner or later she's going to see that they aren't hurting her in any way, and she'll relax and notice that there's all kinds of fun stuff going on around her. Think of it as aversion therapy?

Or, maybe not. As I said, I'm trying to think happy thoughts for you....

This is definitely a good point. I think as long as the rest of us remain calm she will also....after about a day. Im just wondering when everyone says they are bad, does that mean you cant walk w/o seeing because there are so many? Can you still leisurely stroll w/o them being too terribly bad?

 

[DAniece]

We noticed them mostly around the outside tables in pool area and other places where there was a LOT of white. The bus stops at Coronado Springs -- yes, they're light colored. The bus stops at Port Orleans Riverside or French Quarter -- no, they're not light colored. But truly, the biggest aggravation for us was sitting at the umbrella tables at the pools.

Walking around and such -- not really a problem. It's not like that scene in African Queen where the swarms drive you mad.

EG

 

[famsen]

Well, I vividly remember the near panic on these boards last September when the love bugs were out in force. From what I remember, last year was unusually horrible for love bugs.
I also remember that the worst weeks seemed to have been the second and third week of September and everyone was reporting that they began disappearing by the last week.
We arrived the first week of October and there were only sparadic sightings.
A pair did land on DH in Epcot in the "loving way" they are known for and I laughed and took a picture. He knew nothing of love bugs but I filled him in as to why they land in pairs back to back.

 

[TinkerBelle314]

unfortunately for us it seems, we are going to be there right when everyone says that get bed. Hopefully this year they wont be as bad since they have already arrived. I'm just going to try not to stress about it. I don't want to be the "mom" as previously discussed that goes crazy and causes a scene. It is what it is. I guess I figure it cant be too bad since people still go during that time, and a lot of people are repeat visitors. Anyway, heres to a great time!

 

[G&J's Mom]

Oops!

 

[G&J's Mom]

Info found online:

Love bug larvae grow up in grassy areas and feed on dead vegetation. The adult love bug does not eat, but subsists solely on the food taken in during its larval stage. Upon reaching maturity the love bug spends the entirety of its life copulating with its mate, hence its numerous romantic nicknames. The male and female attach themselves at the rear of the abdomen and remain that way at all times, even in flight. In fact, after mating, the male dies and is dragged around by the female until she lays her eggs. Females lay up to 350 eggs in debris, and about 20 days later the eggs hatch into larvae. The larvae may live for months before passing into adulthood.

[/IMG]

AND they taste like chicken!

Denise

 

[haley's mom]

We went in early October last year and they were bad. We stayed at POR and you literally had to run into your room and slam the door to minimize the number entering your hotel room. We found them in our room throughout our stay.

At AK they were the worst. We left AK early our only day there due to them being everywhere. The dinosaur ride in AK (similiar to Dumbo), the CM had to wipe off the ride prior to each passenger entering. Then while the other riders entered, you were left with a swarm of them trying to land.

I love free dining, but hate the love bugs. We are going in November this year.

On the plus side, we went 2 years ago at the end of September, stay at All-Star Sports and did not notice ANY love bugs. Guess it depends on the year.

 

[LMO429]

we noticed them this pay may by the pool at stormalongbay and the backlot tour by mgm. I would say in those 2 areas it was the heaviest....A friend of mine went in sept and said they were EVERYWHERE!!!

but personally i would rather be in DISNEY with love bugs than at work and school!

 

[dex08]

All I can say is EWWWWwwwwwwwww!!!!

I'm officially grossed out now. I'm going to be paranoid about these bugs when I get there, but thanks to everyone for the tip about not wearing white. We'll be there most all of next week... hopefully they won't be bad yet...

 

[EpcotLove]

but personally i would rather be in DISNEY with love bugs than at work and school!

my thoughts exactly... lol