There’s a change in the air. You can’t see it, but, well, that’s kind of the point.

Twice every year, usually from the end of April through May, and then again in September, the car washes across the Gulf Coast of Florida are busier than usual. That’s because for 3-5 weeks, it’s love bug mating season.

But for whatever reason, one of our most annoying aerial insects has become less of problem in the past few years.

Love is in the Air

Go back to the 1970s and 80s and it wasn’t unusual to see cars all across the Sunshine State decked out with a mesh net that covered the grill and part of the hood. This was to protect the vehicle’s paint job from the fallout of Plecia nearctica getting busy.

The small black insects with a red upper body right behind their heads come out twice a year for mating to sustain their population. Which wouldn’t be an issue, except that the odor of exhaust fumes is an aphrodisiac to the bugs. They typically mate, tail to tail, and then stay connected for all eternity – splattered across the hood and windshield of your car.

Love bugs only live for about 3-4 days. They are united, male and female, sometimes for that whole period. The ones that don’t die on impact on the freeway lay 100-300 eggs before their time is done.

Swarms can reach numbers in the millions – so a few hundred dying on your windshield or in your grill doesn’t diminish their numbers – in fact, if we didn’t hit so many, who knows how large their populations would be.

The mesh coverings were a necessity because of the acidic nature of the love bugs innards. Their destroyed bodies can stain windows and literally eat through paint of older vehicles. Newer paint formulations don’t have as much concern, but a few minutes on I-75 leaves many looking for the nearest gas station or self-wash.

Disappearing Act

In recent years, scientists note the love bug swarms are significantly diminished. No one knows quite why, and because the insects are such a nuisance, nobody really dug into it too deeply.

Dr. Norman Leppla, an entomologist at the University of Florida, says there’s a global crisis with many insects dwindling or disappearing. The cause is so far unknown but could be tied to urbanization, changes in the climate, environmental chemicals, or a combination of factors. But scientists are much more concerned about decreases in certain types of butterflies, beetles, fireflies, and, of course, honeybees than love bugs.

Love bugs aren’t just in Florida, either. Their origins are in Central America and have some numbers in Louisiana and Texas. Should we be more worried about their numbers dropping?

It should be noted that as annoying as they can be, love bugs do have a crucial role in our ecosystem. Their larvae feed on decaying plant matter, converting it into nutrients that can be used by other plants. That natural nutrient recycling creates better, more fertile soil for a variety of plants we use for food.

Dealing with the Problem

In the next couple of weeks, we will find out if the love bugs are returning to our highways and byways. Hopefully, for the sake of our plant life, numbers will stay relatively constant from 2023 and 2024 when researchers first noticed the decline in population and not decline more.

Even with fewer love bugs, you’ll inevitably end up with some on your car. A little soapy water, applied as soon after impact as you can, will help. So will wiping your vehicle down with a dryer sheet. Evidently the same thing that prevents static cling in your laundry also draws love bug residue off your car.

For all your other pest control needs, may we suggest our popular Go Green Perimeter Plus? We inspect and recommend sealing all entry points to your house, then use the safest, most organic treatment to eliminate existing pests like ants, roaches and spiders and keep them out. One of our highly trained technicians would be happy to answer any of your questions. Just give us a call!