[rlb]

Hello everyone! Can anyone tell me when in the Love Bugs appear in the fall? I just read Aug/Sept. I am going Aug 30-Sept 4th and I have friends going the third week in Sept. How big of a problem are they? How big are these critters?

[palmickey]

There is a whole thread about love bugs on here some, I will see if I can find it.

[ssjaz]

Here is everything you want to know about these little critters.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IN694

[Jennatrz]

We go alot in September and haven't really noticed them. I don't think it will be a problem. We have them right now in SW Florida. Not a big deal at all. You will see them but not swarms of them or anything.

[tonyksl]

The times they hit vary. Those are just the months where they are known to hit. They last for a couple of weeks and then are gone. There is no actual date that they hit. They could hit the middle of August or the end of September. Beginning of April to end of May.

[honeypot]

We go a lot in Sept and have only experienced them once. They are a pain though but not enough to keep us away. I mostly noticed them on the buses. They hit the windshield. They don't "attack" you in anyway they just float around in the air attached to another. I'm not even sure if they are a yearly thing.

[Chrisg]

Originally Posted by rlb

Hello everyone! Can anyone tell me when in the Love Bugs appear in the fall? I just read Aug/Sept. I am going Aug 30-Sept 4th and I have friends going the third week in Sept. How big of a problem are they? How big are these critters?

I was in Disney in late September 2006 and the love bugs were everywhere! I was told they came late in the season and they usually are gone by August. They are disgusting little flying bugs about the size of a flying ant. They just fly around mating and land on everything and everyone. What's worse is when you are on an outside ride and go to side down. When you stand up you notice that you just squashed a dozen of them and they are plastered on your shorts.

[Dana]

Originally Posted by rlb

Hello everyone! Can anyone tell me when in the Love Bugs appear in the fall? I just read Aug/Sept. I am going Aug 30-Sept 4th and I have friends going the third week in Sept. How big of a problem are they? How big are these critters?

i was there that week last summer and didn't see one of the love bugs. I think it's later on in september that they start popping up.

[lovemysons]

We were there the 3rd week of August last year, and I don't remember seeing any either.

[cinderbella]

Anita Answer just did a big spread on this in her column..I don't know if this is where you saw that info or not..but I'll post it again anyway..To be to frank..the love bugs are not that big of a deal.


Elizabeth writes:

We visited Walt Disney World at the end of September 2006 and were surrounded by little flying bugs which we found out were called "Love Bugs." We were also told they tend to come out one or two times a year in Florida. Although they weren't harmful in any way, they were extremely annoying and we were wondering if there was a specific time frame that they tend to swarm because we would love to go back at that time of the year again. Thanks for your help!

Hi Elizabeth!

Love Bugs (Plecia Nearctica) are commonly found all along the Gulf Coast of the United States and northward on the Atlantic coast from Florida to South Carolina. Love Bugs have two "flights" a year, one spanning April and May, and one spanning August and September. The flights generally last for four to five weeks, and the number of bugs varies year to year, dependent on certain weather conditions and the presence of natural predators.

Adult bugs have no natural predators because they don't taste good (not that I know this personally...) but their larvae are apparently quite a treat for birds and other insects, and armadillos like them too. If natural predators are around in abundance during the Love Bugs' larval stage, then the flights may not be as dense.

Love Bugs themselves aren't dangerous, as they don't bite or sting. They can be a huge annoyance, however, when they appear in large numbers and can seem to be everywhere, plus their acidic bodies can cause damage to automobile paint jobs if dead bugs are not washed off immediately.

There are a couple of things you can do to keep them at bay: First, wear dark clothing, as they're attracted to light, bright colors. This is counter-intuitive during times of hot weather, but you'll have to choose between being cooler or being annoyed by Love Bugs. I personally would rather deal with the annoyance of the bugs than Florida heat. The other thing you can do is visit the parks after dusk. Love Bugs don't fly after the sun goes down. This, of course, will severely limit your park time. Once again, I'd choose the annoying bugs over staying out of the parks. Even if you don't want to take those steps, the good news is you still have eight other Love Bug-free months to visit the World.

A.A.

[faerie dust]

we were there last september we did not even see them.. we will be thre again this year im not at all concerned

[dixie]

We've been several times when the love bugs were abundant and didn't really find them a problem they just seem to get on doing their own thing

[Screever]

Ew.

[Cavey]

Here in the midwest we get Japanese beetle swarms--thank you state of Indiana for bringing these pests to America to fight aphids.

[RowdyRAider]

Hate to say it guys...BUT THEY'RE BACK!!!! Was out driving around today and my car is officially in need of a car wash. That wonderful time of the year is here, so be prepared.