They develop in moist areas like ditches, bayous and swamps, and help decompose dead leaves and grass. Outdoor black lights also attract and kill them, says Leppla. Swarming lovebugs on highways can clog radiators, reduce visibility by splattering on windshields and headlights and even ruin your paint job. As the dead bugs decay, acid from their bodies eats into paint. A second season normally happens in late summer, in the months of August and September.
This year, however, for most of Central Florida, lovebug season was extremely light. Lovebug larvae, the immature stage of an insect, live in decaying vegetation at the soil surface. According to Dr. Norman Leppla, a professor of entomology and nematology at the University of Florida, the frequency and amount of rainfall is likely a factor in determining the amount of lovebugs each season.
If the habitat is too wet, they drown. They can invade areas with excessive moisture. Since these humid areas have the potential to grow plants, it creates a food and environment for lovebugs to breed. If you live in an area where lovebugs are common, they can easily make their way into dark, humid areas such as basements, attics, and storage rooms.
They can disturb your plants. The plants surrounding your home can be breeding and feeding grounds for lovebugs. The female flies search for moist environments, complete with food sources, to lay their larvae -- so keep an eye out for them on flower beds. You know what they say -- an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and when it comes to lovebugs, that statement is true. Here are the best ways to prevent and get rid of lovebugs in Florida:.
Clean your vehicle frequently with warm, soapy water if it is covered in lovebugs. In order to prevent lovebugs, wax your car prior to their mating season--this will make it harder for them to stick to the exterior.
Are they the product of an experiment? Where do they go? Why are they called lovebugs? Copyright Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Report a typo.
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