Twice each year in Florida, Love Bugs become quite a nuisance for drivers. The Love Bugs emerge and mate en mass during two short cycles in Spring and again in late Summer. The insects swarm around roadsides, and carelessly drift into the path of oncoming traffic. Drivers end up with bug-coated windshields, grills and bumpers.
Love Bugs are not a native species to North America and there has been a long-held myth that University of Florida researches invented and released the Love Bugs in hopes of reducing the mosquito populations. This is a myth. The Love Bugs originated in South America, but gradually migrated north. Some believe that shipments between South America and North America in the 1940s help transport the species to Texas. From there, they migrated east to Florida. Love Bugs have been found as far north as North Carolina.
Love Bugs do not sting or bite and are not known to carry any diseases, so they are essentially a nuisance pest causing the most trouble for motorist. At times, the mating Florida Love Bugs become so abundant in an area that they can be a traffic hazard. In extreme cases, enough Love Bugs can coat a vehicle’s grill, blocking airflow and causing the car to overheat.
If you live in love bug territory, you know it is important to wash the dead love bugs off your car’s exterior as soon as possible. When the bodies of the love bugs bake in the hot sun, they become acidic and can damage a car’s paint. The longer they stay on the car, the harder it is to clean them off. Many recommend a proactive wax application to assist in love bug removal.
While we cannot eliminate love bug season, Turner Pest Control can prevent harmful pests from entering your home or destroying your lawn. We are a full-service pest control company. Call us for all your Pest Control, Termite Services, Lawn care needs or Commercial Services.
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