Love Bugs are flies that breed while flying through the air. They have red heads and are easily recognizable since they are often seen attached end-to-end. They have a very short life span but can cause a lot of damage during that time. These bugs are prevalent mostly in the Gulf region of the United States and are especially known for flying in large swarms in Florida.
Keep your lawn mowed correctly. Love bug larvae breed in thatch; cut your grass regularly so it doesn't get too long and cause thatch. A good rule of thumb is to cut off only the top one-third of the grass blade when you mow. Pay special attention to this from March to September; love bug larvae take a few weeks to breed and then start their swarming in late Spring and early Fall.
Try not to water your lawn too much. The same goes for applying fertilizer; these things can make your grass grow very quickly and make it harder to maintain.
Apply a good wax to your car. Love bugs will splat onto your front bumper and hood, and their bodies contain acid that can eat away the paint on your vehicle. Use a good synthetic polymer wax to help protect your paint.
Put a "car bra" on your front bumper. You can find a variety of these in net and leather. They are very simple to install and the love bugs will splatter onto the bra instead of your car's paint. Use one throughout love bug season and then simply remove, wash and put it away until next season.
Use a special washer fluid on your windshield. Love bugs leave nasty marks on your windshield even after they're gone. Pour the special fluid into your vehicle's reservoir, and then every time you wipe your windows, you're applying a slick coat of the fluid that helps keep the love bugs from sticking to and damaging your windshield.
Tell everyone in your home to open and shut exterior doors quickly. Love bugs often fly into homes and although they don't do any damage in the house, they can be nuisances.
