Love Bugs in May

[sprymom]

We are going to be staying at the Fort Wilderness Cabins in the first half of May. How bad are the Love Bugs? Can we sit out and grill? How about driving around in a golf cart? Anyone have any info on these little pests? Thanks!

 

[dreamer17555]

They were everywhere our last May trip but unless you are squeamish about insects they don't really do much besides being all over. They don't bite, just mate and fly in pairs.

 

[Duck143]

They're everywhere and can sometimes be a nuisance, but you can't get away from them, so you just deal. They don't bite or harass people, there is just a ton of them around.

 

[DVCjj]

May last year was the most I’ve EVER seen in many many years.
I’ve never been annoyed before but I kinda was that trip to Disney. Don’t bite but annoyingly in your face and on you. Wouldn’t stop me from going. In fact will be there this May also.

 

[ChanaC]

I will say there are certain years that are worse than others, and I don't think they are very predictable. I used to live in Orlando and I think it was 2010 or 2011 where they were absolutely EVERYWHERE.

As a tip, they seem to be attracted to fresh paint and to black asphalt. You probably can't avoid paint, but try to limit time in parking lots as much as possible. Of course that one bad year was when my college was repainting one of their parking lots and I had to wait for a bus back to my dorm every day in that lot and oh my, it was like The Birds, but with bugs. I didn't need to go on It's Tough To Be A Bug, I lived the experience.

 

[KayMichigan]

When my sister and I went to WDW at the beginning of May 2019, yes, they were literally everywhere. They would fly into our hair and land on our arms and legs and shoes. We had to leave Toy Story Land because the swarms were so thick, there were piles on them on the ground. Waiting for the bus was the worst, there were clouds of them all over the place and you really can't get away from them when you're outside.

It's true that they don't bite, but they are very annoying. Driving around would probably be fine while you're moving but grilling might be a problem.

 

[Scubadaddy32]

As a tip, they seem to be attracted to fresh paint and to black asphalt.

Ahh... Makes sense now, the year before last in May they were all over HS, but they seemed to be doing a lot of paint touch ups.

 

[Stratman50th]

May and September. They only last around 2 weeks so you can be right in it, on the front side or back side.
They are attracted to white. My garage doors end up covered and they tend to swarm my white car! LOL
They are completely harmless like others have said, just annoying. When you live here, it just is what it is. Don't let them ruin your trip.
Oh yeah, I don't grill on May or September. Won't hurt you but who needs the extra protein

 

[Lisa P.]

Also, don't neglect to wash the dead love bugs off your car's painted surfaces regularly. Otherwise, the "bug juice" damages the paint finish, leaving speckled spots prone to rust. Bleh.

 

[LMO429]

What is the closest car wash to Disney driving down when we went in may 2019 love bugs were insane we had rented a cabana at the grand and they were so awful the cast member refunded everyone the cabanas were infested with them but we have been every may and that was the worst we had ever seen it

 

[Dancing Accountant]

They can be bad at the water parks. Just annoying when in line or in the water. But......if you want to sit on the beach areas be prepared for everything to be covered in them.

 

[wings91]

I'm glad they aren't called hate bugs

 

[Deb & Bill]

What is the closest car wash to Disney driving down when we went in may 2019 love bugs were insane we had rented a cabana at the grand and they were so awful the cast member refunded everyone the cabanas were infested with them but we have been every may and that was the worst we had ever seen it

You may really need to scrub them off because they stick really hard, especially if they are swarming badly. There are times when you might not even notice them much and other times you can't get away from them. To prepare for the worst, carry something you can put water in and a roll of paper towels (or the yellow scrubber you get in a DVC villa) so you can get them off before they harden.

 

[Dave006]

What is the closest car wash to Disney driving down when we went in may 2019 love bugs were insane...

The closest "gas" drive through type car wash is onsite at the Speedway on 300 E Buena Vista Dr, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830 ( this the corner of E. Buenva Vista Dr. & Epcot Resorts Blvd). It is on the North East side of the intersection directly across from the Boardwalk Resort (Epcot Resorts Blvd).

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Speedway/@28.3628922,-81.5567423,17z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x88dd7f0763c44079:0xbe75819c77403c6c!8m2!3d28.3640912!4d-81.5523435

Now for the real magic. A Florida trick to clean love bugs from your vehicle is to use wet dryer sheets, yes the same ones you use for wrinkles and static in your clothes "Dryer".

Just bring a box or 10-12 in a Ziploc bag. Wet them at point of use and scrub. They will not damage your paint.

Dave

 

[cgattis]

The worst part about them, IMO, is that they are so SOFT.....so when they land on your face and you reflexively brush them away......you end up with love bug smeared all over your cheek...

Plus the paint on my bumper, but I was prepared for that. I wasn’t prepared for....smooshiness.

 

[VicarJT]

The worst part about them, IMO, is that they are so SOFT.....so when they land on your face and you reflexively brush them away......you end up with love bug smeared all over your cheek...

Plus the paint on my bumper, but I was prepared for that. I wasn’t prepared for....smooshiness.

Um ... ew.

 

[cgattis]

Um ... ew.

Indeed......