In parts of Florida beginning about this time of year, love-bugs are so thick in the air that they plaster your car when traveling on the highway.
Is some kind of oil (vegetable oil? Crisco?) that could be safely sprayed on the car without damaging the paint in the hot sun to keep them from sticking and they could be easily washed off?
Rejex. It is a little expensive but works. Take old wax off and polish and apply Rejex according to label. Don't rush curing. It doesn't shine as good as the best waxes but is really good. The newer paints sometimes called 15 year paint is better at not reacting to the bugs, what's the word, oh well, chemicals. Don't use Pam or Crisco, Pledge especially, or anything like that. Your paint will get to the of flaking off etc. Ask Motrhome Owners etc about Rejex. There may be some new stuff out there. It's hard to keep up with everything. Good luck.
inning about this time of year, love-bugs are
I live in FL and I've been using Pam spray for years (over a good wax job) and my paint has never flaked off.
Never put anything on a car to keep them from sticking. I made trips to Florida during love bug season three years running. First year I used a friend's car and it was black with bugs. Took me a good hour of scrubbing to get them off. Second year I took my ma's car and it was black with bugs in southern Indiana, but clean when I got to Chicago. Rain. Third year I took my van and it was black with bugs when I got home. I waited a few days until it rained, then took a spin. About 10 miles at 60mph cleaned them off. A pressure washer might take them off the same way if you're careful, Never went again in bug season, so that's all I know.
--Vic
They have "acid" for blood just like Alien...and if not washed off in a couple of days they can pit your paint.
I was going to drive to Florida. How long does this period last?
Aren't there people in Florida who know all about this?
Back when I was a mobile auto glass installer, I hit a swarm on a country rd in Lake county that was about a quarter mile wide!!!!
Emptied the entire washer reservoir and still couldn't see where I was going. I've never seen anything like it since. It was like being in a sci fi movie.
When I drive from Ft. Lauderdale north to Sebring, about 160 miles on US 27 at this time of year through May, they are a thick nuisance along the entire route with no breaks. I have to wash them off when I get there and again when I get back. If left on to cook in the sun, it's almost impossible to get all the residue off.
I don't know how far north of their range extends, but I know they get them in Lakeland, which is much further north.
At least I had plenty of glass cleaner and paper towels in my work van.
Not so lucky if you hit a big swarm in your personal vehicle.
Thanks. I might conceivably have tone to Florida this month or May, but I want to plant a cherry tree in the next week or two and I want to be here to take care of it. Maybe next fall I'll go, but if I go next April, I'll put a tarp over my windshield so they don't stick.
If you stay on smaller roads, under 50MPH, do they still splat?
YES!
I've never had a vehicle (at least not a "modern" day vehicle) overheat from bugs...plus the AC condenser is in front of the radiator.
Dang!
And again along about September.
Only defense I know of is a "bra" (I didn't name it:o), a net across the front of the car. Love bugs aren't around very long...mebbe drive slower so's they don't go "splat"?
Dang. Another month?
I lived in Fl back in the 70s, keep your car waxed and keep them washed off, Often I would drive from one end of Fl to the other in a day. Whenever I would stop I would clean them off. Taking care off them before they eat into to the paint is secret/ People who let them strip the paint off their car are just lazy. They used to sell love bug screens back in the day but these often did more damage than the bugs. A screen over your radiator isnt a bad idea but check it often.
Jimmie
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