Love Bugs!!

[LuvinDisney]

We are heading down on the 29th and i heard that this is love bug season again!! We were in WDW in May and the bugs were aweful. My daughter walked around with her hands over her ears for 3 days after one flew in for a second. Does anyone know if they are really going to be there???? Maybe they will be gone by then??? Tell me yes! Is anyone there that can give a report on this??? Thanks!

 

[kathie859]

I want to know, too....

 

[lilkitty819]

We were there last year at that time frame, and yes the lovebugs were there but not alot of them so I wouldn't worry to much. Have a great trip

 

[OlderMan]

Hi all!

I have seen only a few (4 or 5) here on the east coast, so far.

Remind me in a week or two and I'll update for you.

 

[gppnj]

These were all over the place when I was down there in Late may/early June. I had never heard of lovebugs before. Are these new, or are their numbers especially high? I can't believe I never would have heard of them until recently.

 

[KristiKelly]

We were there the 3rd week of Sept. last year and they were really bad. It seems like I remember reading that they are only out for a week or two so maybe they will be going away by the time you get there.

 

[justjudy]

We just got back -- were there September 3-10 -- didn't see one lovebug.

 

[JimC]

They have just arrived this afternoon.

 

[WelcomeHome]

From what I understand, the love bugs are usually gone by October 1st. Their fall "season" usually occurs somewhere during the last 2 weeks in September and only lasts 7 to 10 days.

So while you'll hear some horror stories from people like yourself who unfortunately arrive at the height of the love bug season in the spring (in May) or the fall (last 2 weeks in September), I believe you'll be very lucky! For all practical purposes, their season will be ending or already over by the time you arrive. I suspect the WORST you can expect is the very tail end of their season for the first couple of days you are there.

In other words, I think they'll already be pretty much GONE and your family will have a FANTASTIC vacation. Your daughter's ears should survive the trip completely unmolested!

Best wishes,
Dave

 

[Bopsmom]

We always try to look on the bright side - Lovebugs mean a change of season.
From Winter to Spring or from Summer to Fall.
Here is a cute link about them: http://www.snopes.com/critters/lurkers/lovebugs.asp
Enjoy your trip since if the lovebugs are around you are most likely getting milder weather.
How can you tell a Happy WDW guest?
They are the ones with bug stains on their teeth!

 

[disneychic]

I live here in Central Florida and we just started seeing them this weekend. All I know is that they were HORRIBLE last fall (usually the fall isn't as bad as the spring) and in theory they are only supposed to be around for 2 weeks but I've lived here for over 5 years and it's not 2 weeks, closer to a month.

 

[OrlandoNative]

They'er baaaccck!!!! Not too bad yet but probably will be by 29th.

 

[OlderMan]

Here on the East Coast--east of WDW--I haven't seen ANY lovebugs since I posted earlier this week.

 

[Dodie]

May and September, like clockwork. Your choice of vacation times coincides with the Love Bug invasions.

 

[icydog]

We going down tomorrow. I forgot about the Love Bugs. YUCK! I hope they wait a week.

 

[JimC]

They were mild Sunday to Wednesday. Thursday they arrived in full force.

 

[deej696]

I was at WDW yesterday playing golf. I didnt notice them all day, until I got to one hole in particular and it was like a giant swarm. They were gone by the next hole. I'll be back again tomorrow, and will be sure to report if they seem bad. But then again, I am from here so I dont really notice them...

 

[sznk]

We've lived in Central Florida since 1997, and the typical LoveBug pattern is Mid-May to Mid-June, and Mid-Sept to Mid-October. We've read that they're 'supposed' to last two weeks, but the bugs apparently don't read those signs.
They're yucky and disgusting - at least they don't bite. We try to be outdoors as little as possible while they're out; seems to be worst mid-morning and mid-afternoon. The rest of the year it's a nice place to live!

 

[tacomaranch]

We leave Monday and also wondered. Ok, they don't bite, stink or cause any harm but DS will unload if they land on him. I love autism. I plan on getting a netting for his stroller and hope they just hold off a bit longer.

 

[JimC]

While generally just a nuisance there is one problem that everyone should be aware of. They are attracted to highways and spatter on the hood and windshield of automobiles. Large number of lovebugs can cause overheating of engines, reduce visibility, and etch automobile paint. The body fluids are slightly acid; however, if they are allowed to remain on the car for several days, bacterial action increases the acidity and etches the paint. A soaking with water for about five minutes followed by a scrubbing within 15 to 20 minutes should remove most of the lovebugs without harm to automobile paint. A hood air deflector or screen will reduce the number of spattered lovebugs on an automobile. Car washes find this time of year to be a real money maker for obvious reasons.