March Flies, AKA Lovebugs: What They Are and How to Get Rid of Them
February is the month for love, with Valentine’s Day on the 14th, so today, we’re talking about lovebugs (AKA March Flies). Keep reading to learn more about them from our experts in integrative pest management!
What Are March Flies (AKA Love Bugs)?
March flies (Genus sp.) are insects with slim black or brown bodies, a distinct orange thorax, and a cute nickname: the love bug.
However, that nickname is the only thing cute about March Flies.
Why Are March Flies Called Love Bugs?
Everyone knows that one couple that constantly displays way too much affection to be in public—the kind of PDA that makes everyone in the vicinity uncomfortable.
Unlike your PDA-heavy human friends on Valentine’s Day, March Flies don’t know any better.
While it’s true that modern etymologists find insects more intelligent than they thought previously, non-human animals (including March Flies and other insects) cannot feel “exposed” or ashamed of “immodesty” when mating in front of an audience.
So, why don’t love bugs scatter when threatened?
Lovebugs stay attached mid-copula even when they must fly away from predators. The two main reasons are simple:
- Detaching would take too much time when March Flies need to escape quickly.
- The March Fly couple has not completed their mating session; they’re still “having a good time” (and yes, we felt as awkward writing that as you did reading it).
Why Are March Flies Pests?
Before we label a creature we’re featuring a “pest,” we like to consider its value as a living being and how it impacts humans’ livelihoods.
In nature, March Flies have plenty of value as pollinators for plants like Brazilian Pepper Trees, Sweet Clovers, and more. However, March Flies on your property can cause more harm than good.
Here’s how and when we determine that March Flies (love bugs) are pests:
- If March Flies are clogging the engine of your car and potentially causing it to overheat (yes, they often do this),
- if March Flies are a nuisance, swarming your property, and
- if March Flies are nesting on your property for larger future populations.
What Do I Do if Love Bugs Are Pests on My Property?
No matter how March Flies negatively impact your home, lawn, or other property, call Vulcan Termite & Pest Control; we’ll come to your rescue, evacuating the March Flies and implementing solutions to prevent their return!
Our team of integrative pest management professionals has spent the last 40+ years proudly assisting hundreds of families in Birmingham and nearby communities by investigating and solving pest problems on their property. We promise to never lose that dedication to providing excellent service and comprehensive solutions.
Call (205) 663-4200 or contact us online today, and we’ll gladly perform a FREE evaluation and create and implement an effective strategy using our tried-and-true methods so you and your family can enjoy a pest-free home.