Southeast - Lovebug season is here

The last week I noticed an increase, but on today's ride, I was bombarded by the little lovemakers. In the helmet, stuck on the arms/legs and even a few in the mouth. They'll probably be around for a week or two and are right on target for the May peak.

Anyone else notice a big increase or is it just the west central FL area?

I did not notice any yesterday on my ride and was covered with them today.....Hope they are gone before I head north in a few weeks........

Hate the little nasty things. It's about that time...

Yes, I took a couple of hits to the mouth on my Saturday ride in northern Pinellas county. They sure taste bad! :) Hope they don't last too long and glad I am not doing too much car driving as they sure make a mess.

Mark

On our ride today I mentioned to my daughter that I will have to learn to ride with my mouth closed or get a bug screen for my teeth. Thank goodness they will be gone in a few weeks.

Hey.... But at least we got the fall lovebug season to look forward to in Sept...... DOH!

All we get are stinkbugs... :(

Our large swarms of gnats haven't appeared so far even though it's been plenty warm enough over the past several weeks. On my rural ride on Sunday I was getting bombarded with all kinds of other flying insects, some quite large. And I have learned about riding with my mouth open. :D

Oh yeah..... gnats suck!! I mean usually by the time you see them..... Your in the middle of them, with your mouth wide open of course..... DOH!

Gnats don't suck, but mosquitoes do. hehe. And only the female bites. But I bet you knew that.

I've prefer spitting to taking in the extra protein.

I don't think they've made it to Jax yet, but I can't wait :rolleyes:

Heavy loving this year! I walk out my back door and there they are - the big motel in the sky.

Another buggy day in west central FL. I hit some clusters and just tucked my head so I didn't get a mouthful. The cars are plastered and I just keep a bucket of soapy water and a hose handy for the daily wash. Should be over in a week or two. Those amorous little buggers sure do make a mess.

They were all over between Daytona and West Palm this week............had to pressure clean the truck to get them off.......yuk

They have desended on Ocala. A few years ago, I'd be 10 miles offshore fishing (Englewood area) and find lovebugs flying around my boat. Amazing!

Does anybody ever use netting? I'm thinking about buying a fine mesh and drape it over a wig styrofoam head, fit it, and sew it so it fits nicely over my head. As long as it is not annoying, it'd be great to travel and not have those damn things to deal with. Anybody else got any ideas?

They do make helmets with the vents screened as seen here (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/731074-Good-Well-Vented-Helmets-with-Insect-Nets), but getting them in my helmet doesn't really "bug" me. I prefer no obstructions to ventilation since it gets so hot during our summer.

I did 26 miles in miami, nary a bug. I come back, no bugs on the alley. Naples to the Caloosahatchee - millions.

I've yet to see any love bugs, but the brown beatles (June bugs) are on the rise. Those things feel HARD when you hit them at speed, wouldn't want to ingest one either :eek:

Last week I came home from a ride and found a big June bug in my hair, took it outside and there were a few flying around my porch light. I came back inside and found one on my shirt. Rinse, lather, repeat.

They do make helmets with the vents screened as seen here (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/731074-Good-Well-Vented-Helmets-with-Insect-Nets), but getting them in my helmet doesn't really "bug" me. I prefer no obstructions to ventilation since it gets so hot during our summer.

I suppose that's the difference between living in Seattle and living in the South. It get's hot but not that hot and not that muggy.... and less buggy.

Got bugged on I95 today - a 20 minute trip - took an hour to get them off.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y95/wiredfoxterror/001-1.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y95/wiredfoxterror/002-1.jpg

The worst is over, love bugs mostly gone now. Next is fire season, followed by mosquito season, lol.

The worst is over, love bugs mostly gone now. Next is fire season, followed by mosquito season, lol.

Don't forget the yellow flies.... Me and a friend were riding the mountain bikes side by side on the Palatka Lake Butler trail (un-paved part) last summer and I looked over at him and I swear there were about 10 yellow flies flying right behind him. I said something to him, and he looked over and there were another 10 flying right behind me. As soon as we stopped they were all over us.... They suck worse than love bugs...

I'd have to agree with the yellow flies. My husband is plagued by them out in the shop fixing the car. When I'm out I do get bit, but thankfully (for me) they like the taste of him better.

The lovebugs are plastered all on the front of my school bus, I hate them so much. I hope it got washed before I have to go out for my afternoon route.

And this is why we're moving to Oregon... hehe.