Love Bugs in September?

[Chicago262]

Can someone tell me about the "love bugs" that swarm in FL? We will be there the week of Sept. 17-24 and are wondering if they will be swarming. I've heard they don't bite, but do they still like to bother people? My DD is 9 and just hates bugs.

 

[tn_disney_addict]

We are always there the first week in September and they are everywhere! They don't bite and they don't "bother" you like gnats do, they are just everywhere.

 

[Chicago262]

Will they be pretty much gone by mid-September?

 

[SamIAm21]

We will be in Disney 9/18 to the 9/23 and my DD is also a big Bug-a-phobe! Any chance they will have moved on by then?

 

[Equidae]

They really aren't that noticable when you are walking around -- it's when they are stuck to the front of your car that you notice them! They are harmless (except to car paint) and don't bite. They sort of float around. I have lived in Florida for over 25 years and I barely notice them, so I can't say for sure when they will be gone. It also might depend on the weather too.

 

[Chicago262]

Thanks for the info everyone!

 

[HopperFan]

I hate bugs, but they never bother me.
My biggest bother when the kids were younger was the question "why are those two bugs hooked together ? "

 

[Threehearts]

We have been twice during lovebug season and never again. They were everywhere and it was more than our family could stand. I like bugs but these were all over the lounge chairs at the pool and in our hair. It's true that they don't bite and I'll admit that it's probably just me but just so you know that they do bother some people. Have a good trip. Threehearts

 

[Chicago262]

Threehearts,

When were you there? I do have this fear of bugs being caught in my hair. I think it's because my older brother used to set them on my head for fun...then they would get stuck in my long hair.

 

[SnoweyWhite]

They really aren't that noticable when you are walking around -- it's when they are stuck to the front of your car that you notice them! They are harmless (except to car paint) and don't bite. They sort of float around.

My thoughts exactly.

 

[gduvall]

We have been there at the end of September and they are still around.

 

[Threehearts]

but to answer your question, we were there in May one year(forget what week) and another time during the second week of Sept.. I do avoid lovebug months now but I must stress that these months are some of the lovliest of the year. Threehearts

 

[Dodie]

May and September -- the curse of the lovebugs.

If you are driving your own vehicle, take note of the lovebugs. They can KILL a paint job. Apparently they are very acidic. If you don't wash them off --- paint damage!

They are more of a nuiscance than anything else. Kind of like bigger black gnats that are connected together and flying around everywhere.

 

[dwmlaf]

We have them in Louisiana. They are attracted to anything WHITE colored. They can be a nuisance if you are around any light colored items (including what you wear)

There never seems to be a set time when they are swarming. I have seen them as early as May but as late as Oct.

 

[Rob_b]

I'll be in Disney the first week of Sept. This will be my third trip during September.

Trip One - Did not Notice the Love Bugs
Trip Two - Loads of Love Bugs. They were everywhere. A CM said Love Bug activity was high that year.
Trip Three - ??? Hopefully none.

 

[Ronda93]

I've read that the car problem is exacerbated because they're attracted to something in the exhaust and seem to congregate around roadways.

They just hover around, flying slow and aimlessly... I like to think of them as giving one another directions on vacation.

 

[bonnielynn]

Love bugs wont hurt you at all.. they are more interested in their partner bug than bothering you.. You dont pay them attention and they will do you the same favor...

 

[jann1033]

what are they like , large small, cockroach like or gant like? thining of sept next trip and this could make or break it...what makes them bad?

 

[SnoweyWhite]

what are they like , large small, cockroach like or gant like? thining of sept next trip and this could make or break it...what makes them bad?

They're small, a little larger than a gnat, but not at all the size of a cockroach. I certainly wouldn't consider them when planning a trip. I've been around them my entire life and the only problem I've really ever had is that they get all over the grill of your car and make marks on your wind-shield when you drive. I've never considered them "bad" bugs, just annoying. They're harmless and just fly around--no biting or anything. If you want to go in September, go. Don't let them make or break your trip.

 

[Golf4food]

For those interested, here are some links to learn more then you'll ever need to know about the truth behind Plecia nearctica, or Love Bugs.

Urban Legends About Love Bugs

Some Educational Perspective from the University of Florida (It was all their fault, really, don't believe the Urban Legends page!)

A little more from UF, but different, with pictures for those that aren't squeamish!

In general, they are just annoying. They don't bite, don't make buzzing sounds, don't actively seek out people (like a gnat or mosquito). They just kind of float around at slow speeds and occassionally land on things while they, umm... ensure the continuation of their species, so to speak.

May and September are the only months they are around, though they might start a week early or end a week late, because they are on God's timetable, not our calander...