Their name may make them sound cute, but lovebugs are anything but adorable. These pesky insects come in swarms twice a year in Florida – once in the spring and again in late summer. While lovebugs themselves may not be harmful to your lawn, they are still considered a nuisance by virtually anyone who encounters them.
Why are they called lovebugs?
Lovebugs got their name from their, er, romantic behavior. During lovebug mating season, the insects attach at the ends of the abdomen to couple. The pair remain attached like this both during and after mating, and you’ll even see them flying around in this fashion. In fact, the male lovebug – who dies shortly after mating – remains attached to the female until she lays her eggs. Awww…
If they don’t hurt my yard, why should I care about lovebugs?
While it’s true that lovebugs won’t damage your plants and turn all your landscaping efforts upside down, they can still cause quite a bit of damage. During mating season, hundreds of thousands of insects can congregate in search of that special someone. These swarms inevitably impact the daily lives of the people around them, most notably by getting smashed on the windshields and grills of vehicles. If these remains aren’t cleaned up almost immediately, they dry onto these surfaces and can become very difficult to clean. Long term damage to vehicles is also a possibility, as the lovebugs can clog the radiator and potentially result in engine trouble.
So what can I do?
Unfortunately, there’s no way to eliminate lovebugs completely during these periods of mating, however we can help you identify problem areas in your yard that may be providing an attractive breeding ground. Call us today for a Free Inspection and no-obligation estimate for our Lawn, Termite or Pest Control services.