Love Bugs

The love bugs are out of control down here (central florida).

I'm thinking of spraying the front of the car with silicone spray to see if they come off easier.

Does anyone see a problem with this? Paint damage? Radiator damage?

I've used rain-x on the front end up a car before a long trip and it did help some, but not really enough to justify the effort.

Rain-x being silicone based I would think spraying the front end with a silicone spray would probably be alright.

A couple good coats of wax wouldnt hurt either.

I drove through rural Lake and Marian Counties yesterday. The front of my car, windshield and mirrors were completely plastered with the little bastards. Washed them off as soon as I got home. What a mess.

Funny though, they're not as bad where I live in West Volusia County.

Problem with wax is when you scrub the love bugs off you take the wax off too. I clean the front of my truck every 2 days during love bug season and can't be waxing it every time. Was hoping I could spray some silicone on there so they'll come off easier.

There are some "bug blocker" products out there but thought a quick silicone spray might do the trick. Paint damage from silicone spray?

Pledge works to. I do my bike with it with no I'll affects. Makes cleanup much easier.

Well, coming from "a bug" I'll certainly give it a try. Should have done some before and after pics today -- you would not have believed it.

It's like it's raining love bugs.

I tried silicone spray on half the front as a test this am. Made a slight different taking them off. Nothing to shout about. I'll try Pledge next.

WD-40 works well, maybe like using Pledge. Works for removing bug guts & tar too. Be sure to fill your washer reservoir up with Rain-X bug wash fluid to keep the windshield clean.

Found this blurp on the Love Bug:

"This species' reputation as a public nuisance is due not to any bite or sting (it is incapable of either), but to its slightly acidic body chemistry. Because airborne lovebugs can exist in enormous numbers near highways, they die en masse on automobile windshields, hoods, and radiator grills when the vehicles travel at high speeds. If left for more than an hour or two, the remains become dried and extremely difficult to remove. Their body chemistry has a nearly neutral 6.5 pH but may become acidic at 4.25 pH if left on the car for a day.[2] In the past, the acidity of the dead adult body, especially the female's egg masses, often resulted in pits and etches in automotive paint and chrome if not quickly removed."

Thought it somewhat fitting...

IAmABug wrote:

Found this blurp on the Love Bug:

Their body chemistry has a nearly neutral 6.5 pH but may become acidic at 4.25 pH if left on the car for a day.[2] In the past, the acidity of the dead adult body, especially the female's egg masses, often resulted in pits and etches in automotive paint and chrome if not quickly removed."

That's the problem. If you don't get them off quickly, paint damage will occur. Twice a year we get them. Quite a nuisance.

You need your own pressure washer for each day!
We can get alot of flies/things... june bugs being a bigger/harder pest, insect wise...but doesnt sound like I get what your used to.