Love Bugs

[Lightgician]

Just wondering if the Love Bug love-in Festival has started? I am going to be coming to the Fort on Saturday. A couple of years ago when I came at this time I spent the first hour cleaning Love Bugs off the front of the MH. Just wanted to know so that I could know what cleaning stuff to bring along.
Thanks

 

[Magicbus]

Not yet.

 

[Bdawg]

Haven't even seen one yet..... We can only hope the extensive cold weather did most of them in! for some reason I don't think we will be that lucky!

 

[Lightgician]

Thanks to both of you. Its always nice to just set up the RV and not worry about scrubbing the front end for an hour.

 

[FireEngine70]

they have started to show up here in the past week or so

 

[Rhonda]

They just started showing up here yesterday.

 

[des1954]

Just at H.S. today. Not in central Florida yet, but if the Ft. Pierce & Ft. Myers posters are correct, they'll be moving up here in a week or two. Ugh!

 

[AuburnJen92]

well, tomorrow is May...

I would say they are right on schedule...

 

[BLTtinkerbell]

I hope they wait until after my trip.

 

[Rhonda]

They've got to be hitting WDW by now. They are really bad down here in Ft. Myers now.

Side note -- Simple Green takes them off the front of your car. Spray it down, and let it soak for a few minutes. They'll wipe right off, and it won't hurt your paint. Do this immediately -- they will start etching right through the clearcoat of your paint within a couple of days. (We own a car painting business)

 

[BigDaddyRog]

I saw our first one yesterday...all by himself...but Im sure his buddies are busy making babies!!! I apply Bug-Guard to the front of my truck and rearview mirrors every other week when I bring it to the carwash...its an extra $3 and very well worth it to me. They will definately cook into your paint if you dont remove them immediately, and the bug-guard makes it to where they literally just wipe off when washing your vehicle.

 

[wendinator]

Pardon my ignorance on the love bugs... but does the bug season have an approximate end? Will they still be numerous in mid- to late August?

 

[2goofycampers]

Pardon my ignorance on the love bugs... but does the bug season have an approximate end? Will they still be numerous in mid- to late August?

Normally May and September are the peak of their "love" months.

 

[BigDaddyRog]

Normally May and September are the peak of their "love" months.

Why is it that THEY get 2 seasons????

You will practically be breathing them in in May and Sept.....but they arent exactly scarce in the months inbetween either!!

 

[rapriebe]

We arrived in Orlando today and I don't see any evidence of them yet. The front of the Coach only has a few random bugs on it from the drive down but no love bugs yet.

 

[wendinator]

Normally May and September are the peak of their "love" months.

Thanks! My parents recently bought a brand new car and are planning to drive it down (from Toronto) for our trip this August. This is the first car my parents have ever owned that they've taken good care of, and my Dad has already started thinking about taking car wash supplies with him on the trip. I want to make sure he's adequately prepared for an insect onslaught.

 

[Born 2 Fish]

I love bugs.

 

[Bdawg]

Still haven't seen them in Bradenton or Clearwater yet (thank goodness!)


Here is a little info I found on the little lovers :

They emerge in the spring and fall (usually May and September), although this can vary by a few weeks earlier or later. The total "season" lasts 3-5 weeks.

They are most active in the mid-morning and just before nightfall -- during the day they tend to find shelter in the shade.

For the scientific stuff, look here: University of Florida Love Bug discussion http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MG068

 

[Bdawg]

I love bugs.

Too bad these guys aren't good bait! Nothing eats these critters. When I first moved down here they were thick like mayflies so I thought they would be good for fishing well after everyone was laughing and pointing I finally realized they aren't good bait.........

 

[Born 2 Fish]

Bdawg,,
Love your fishing smiley,,