If it feels like your car, porch, and windshield have suddenly become a landing pad for slow-moving black bugs with orange markings, you’re not imagining it. Love bug season has arrived in Central and South Brevard County, and for the next few weeks, they’ll be impossible to miss.
What Are Love Bugs?
Love bugs are a type of small fly, easily recognized by their black bodies and reddish-orange thorax. They get their name from their habit of flying while mating, connected in pairs, which is why you’ll usually see two stuck together rather than one on its own.
Florida sees two love bug flights each year, one in spring and a larger one in late summer into fall. The fall flight typically runs through September and into October, which is exactly why you’re noticing so many of them right now.
Why They Show Up in Such Large Numbers
Love bugs are drawn to warm pavement, exhaust fumes, and light-colored surfaces, which is part of why they seem to swarm roads, driveways, and parked cars. They’re most active during the day in warm, humid weather, and a flight can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks depending on conditions.
The good news is that love bugs don’t bite or sting, and they’re not considered a threat to people, pets, or your lawn. The bad news is that in large numbers, they’re a genuine nuisance, and their remains can actually cause damage if left untreated.
The Real Risk: What They Leave Behind
Love bugs are more of a car care problem than a pest control problem. Their bodies are acidic, and if they’re left on a vehicle’s paint or windshield for more than a day or two in the Florida heat, they can etch the clear coat and cause lasting damage. Regular washing during peak season, and a fresh coat of wax or sealant beforehand, goes a long way toward protecting your vehicle.
Around the house, love bugs can also pile up on window screens, porches, and pool areas. While they don’t damage structures the way termites or wood-boring pests do, their sheer numbers can make outdoor spaces unpleasant to use for a few weeks.
Tips for Getting Through Love Bug Season
- Wash your car frequently, ideally every couple of days during peak activity, and don’t let bugs sit on the paint overnight.
- Use a bug shield or deflector on your vehicle if you do a lot of driving during this time of year.
- Keep porch and outdoor lights off when not in use, since light can attract additional activity in the evening.
- Sweep or hose down patios and walkways regularly to keep buildup from accumulating.
- Be patient. Unlike many pest problems, love bugs are seasonal and self-limiting. Once the flight ends, activity drops off quickly.
When to Call in the Pros
Love bugs themselves usually aren’t something that calls for pest control treatment, since they’re a temporary nuisance rather than an infestation risk. But if love bug season overlaps with other fall pest activity around your home, like fire ants, fleas, or rodents looking for a way indoors as temperatures shift, it’s worth having a professional take a look.
If you’re dealing with more than just love bugs this season, give Flowers Turf & Pest a call at 321-254-1929. We can help you sort out what’s a seasonal annoyance and what actually needs attention.