It’s that time of year where you will see those pesky red and black bugs flying around together. And they will probably be all over your car.
The experts at University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences say that lovebugs appear twice a year. Floridians can expect to see them in April-May and again around August-September. They are attracted to decomposing plant debris, which they often confuse with the odors from car exhaust fumes, and heat. For these reasons, lovebugs congregate around highways and typically cause a mess on vehicles during their mating seasons. Depending on the damage and the efforts taken to avoid it, this can become costly to motorists.
Below are several tips for protecting your vehicle from damage related to lovebugs.
- Wash the bugs off your car right away. It may be an irritating task, but your car will thank you for working it into your routine. The longer the splattered bugs remain on your car, the higher the chances of them affecting the paint. A 5-minute soak with soap and water followed by a quick scrubbing will do the trick.
- Wax your car. The wax provides a protective barrier between the paint and the bugs. It also makes it easier to remove the splattered bugs from your vehicle at the end of the day.
- Protect your radiator. Driving through swarms of lovebugs doesn’t just ruin your paint. The bugs can also clog radiator fins, causing your car to overheat. Consider adding a screen to the grill or a small screen behind the grill and in front of the radiator.
- Avoid driving during peak lovebug hours. According to UF’s IFAS, lovebugs reach peak activity at 10 a.m. and stop flying at dusk. So, you can avoid lovebugs by driving during evening hours. If you can’t avoid peak times, drive at slower speeds to reduce the number of splattered bugs on your vehicle.
Lovebug season won’t last for long, but these tips could save you money on your car in the long run.
