What are they and how do you get rid of them?

Lovebugs seem to bother people more every year.

Here is a little background about these pests, as well as how you can reduce the lovebug graveyard on your car.

About lovebugs

Lovebugs, also known as the honeymoon or double-headed fly, originate from the fly family. Their life cycle is anywhere between four to five weeks. They start as eggs and larvae in tall grassy areas. Male lovebugs hatch first, followed by females. They eat nectar and pollinate plants. During their lifespan, lovebugs latch on to one another to mate for three to five days. The male dies first, quickly after mating, followed by the female after she lays her eggs. This process loops around thousands of times each day, keeping the lovebug population strong.

Lovebugs were not seen in the United States until the 1940s, when cargo ships traveled from Central America to New Orleans. Since then, gulf states such as Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas have seen lovebugs. Watts said the lovebug population is nowhere near as significant in north Mississippi as compared to south and central Mississippi. Watts, along with some scientists, believes hurricanes contributed to lovebugs migrating to the United States; the worse the hurricane season is, the worse the love bug population.

There are two major flights of lovebugs throughout the year: one in late spring from April to May, the other from August through September. The fall flight is the larger of the two. The size and population of lovebugs for the year is determined by the winter season. If winter had a lot of rain and was warmer than average, it leaves an ideal breeding ground for lovebug larvae.

In 2019, Jackson experienced a slightly warmer winter with precipitation averages about the same. February was seven degrees warmer than average; December and January were several inches above average in total rainfall. This kept the lovebug population from being killed off and increased the population seen this past spring and fall. Having the third-hottest September on record does not help reduce the population, either.

How to get rid of Lovebugs

Lovebugs are attracted to certain things. They also love to find ways to get inside buildings or cars. We should see the lovebug population start to decline as the temperatures drop throughout October.

Here are a few tips and tricks about what lovebugs are attracted to as well as how to get rid of them:

• Car emissions
• Asphalt roads
• Anything that emits an excess amount of heat
• Light and white colors
• Newly painted surfaces
• Wash your car. Lovebugs’ bodies are acidic. The longer deceased lovebugs stay on a non-new vehicle and were left untouched, it could damage the vehicle’s paint job.
• Check the radiator regularly to make sure it is not clogged or overheated with lovebugs.
• Leave the fan on high when at home during the day.
• Mow the grass and pick up any leaf litter.
• Light a mosquito candle.
• Give your car a new wax to keep your paint job from getting ruined.
• Create a lovebug spray that contains 1 cup of water, 3 tablespoons of citrus dish soap and 3 tablespoons of mouthwash. Spray on plants, walls, and any affected areas.
• Use a drier sheet with soap and water and rub on parts of the car where there is a love bug graveyard.