For those of you who are familiar with these, you know how I feel. I have lived in Florida for 21 years and it seems that I get new cars always around love bug season every time. My newest addition to the family, F350 crew cab, 4x4, is not the easiest to clean ( which I don't mind) but, with all the driving I do all day, I had to wash her 3 times this past week because I can't see out the windshield. (Nor should you let them stay on the paint for long) They should be gone before our Memorial Day trip, as getting them off the TT will not be fun.

Easier if you use an electric power washer. They are not that strong, so they don't destroy the paint. But strong enough to remove the little carcasses.1800 psi should do it.

During the love bug season of May and September, I try to wrap clear Road Wrap on the front of our 5th wheel. Then when we get home I can pull the wrap off and put it and the bugs in the trash. On the truck it is a matter of scrubbing them off with Spray 9 cleaner, the best product I have found. We got in to some of the love bugs the last week of April on our way back from Disney in Orlando. I wasn't expecting them that early so got to scrub both the trailer and the truck. A guy at the campground at Disney thought I was pullin his leg when I told him he needed to wash his rig before the bugs damaged his paint. Not sure I was ever able to convince him I was serious. He was an out of state person.

Any one ever try a Love Bug Eraser. I saw it advertised somewhere. HERE

I use wet old bounty dryer sheets (they are free), takes them right off if you don't let them sit for days. Also, takes off road grease/tar spots. Give it a try, you'll like it. :WYes, I hate the love bugs.

I use vehicle soap and a microfiber rag on the paint and chrome. Thing is to get them early. On the windsheild I use one of those nylon web covered sponges and window cleaner. A little muscle and they are gone. Hate those things also.

I hate love bugs!! | Good Sam Community

13 Replies

FishOnOne
Nomad
Oct 16, 2013
Love bugs is one of several reasons why I prefer a truck with a chrome grill and bumper. The acid that's in these bugs won't damage the chrome (either plastic or metal), but wreaks havoc on the paint if left on too long.
FLJane
Explorer
Oct 16, 2013
Just finishing up another lovebug season, and my Class C got splattered. Couldn't wash it off right away, but found a GREAT product which took care of the lovebugs with NO elbow grease! It was Black Streak Remover. Didn't think it would work, really, but just sprayed it on the wet camper (full strength), let it sit for about 5 minutes, then brushed it off easy as pie. Why did it take me 15 years to discover that this works?

Thought I should share - in case you want to try it, too. :)
modern_family
Explorer
May 13, 2013
A love bug eraser! That is classic. Thanks for he replies and suggestions. Got another windshield and big chrome grill full of them today. She is gonna have to wait till tomorrow. I have tried "Pam cooking spray" before on a new paint job on a Durango some years back. That worked OK.

I like the plastic on the TT, I may try that if they seem to still be around next week. Would it scratch the surface if it is loose and flopping around on the front. Being a USF alum... I too blame UF :)
DougE
Explorer
May 13, 2013
In lovebug season I put a coat of paste wax on the frontal surfaces but don't wipe or buff it off until after lovebugs have been deposited on it.
joe_b_
Explorer II
May 13, 2013
I notice that most Florida State and Miami football fans still do blame the U of Florida scientists for the love bugs, true or not. LOL :)

Will have to give some of the ideas a try, the Adolphs, Bug Eraser, Bug Melt, Bug Off as I have tried the dryer sheets and they don't work for me. I have tried them new and ended up with a slimy mess on top of the bugs, that are still there. Then I have tried used dryer sheets and alone they don't work either for me. Believe I will order some of the Bug Eraser sheets today and give them a try.

My real gripe is that often when I get into them on the roads, it will be several days before I can get them off and keep them off. We often head out to the mountain west for part of the summer, just at the end of the May love bug hatching. So I have to find some place to clean them off on the way, as soon as I get far enough north to not have them present.

Nothing seems to eat love bugs, must have a terrible taste that even a bird doesn't like them. I like to think that everything in nature has a purpose, but I have yet to figure out the purpose for love bugs. Even mosquitos provide a major food source for many birds and bats, but love bugs? LOL :P
mudfuel07
Explorer
May 13, 2013
Wet dryer sheets or I have used cooking oil on the front. Gives it a nice shine. THey are getting bad in north Florida too, thank the USDA for this (wish I could blame UF!).
Rich_Yvonne
Explorer
May 13, 2013
As soon as I read the title I knew you were from Florida :)
I've heard dryer sheets do the job well. I'll be testing this theory this season.
Hannibal
Explorer
May 13, 2013
Regular car wash suds for us for the truck and 5th wheel. Had to clean a bunch off last night when we got home. The worst part was 20 miles from home a pelican decided to bomb us while crossing the Skyway Bridge. That is some nasty rain. I'm so glad cows don't fly!
retispcsi
Explorer
May 13, 2013
I use vehicle soap and a microfiber rag on the paint and chrome. Thing is to get them early. On the windsheild I use one of those nylon web covered sponges and window cleaner. A little muscle and they are gone. Hate those things also.
Learjet
Explorer
May 12, 2013
I use wet old bounty dryer sheets (they are free), takes them right off if you don't let them sit for days. Also, takes off road grease/tar spots. Give it a try, you'll like it. :W

Yes, I hate the love bugs.