News 6 reported on September 22, 2026 that lovebugs are back for their late-summer flight. UF/IFAS describes the same insect as a nuisance that shows up in pairs for a few weeks. Around Lake Mary and Altamonte Springs, that usually means a film on the car after a warm afternoon drive.
A short September flight
Mating peaks last about four weeks in May and again in September. The flies are most active from about 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. when the air is above about 84 degrees. They rest at night and ease off around midday.
A long-running rumor says they escaped a University of Florida lab. UF/IFAS traces their arrival to a move north from Central America through the Gulf Coast in the 1940s.
What draws them in daytime
Lovebugs have no bite and no sting. Heat, light colors, and vehicle exhaust pull them toward roads. Highways collect them because the pavement stays hot and exhaust hangs in the air. Light-colored shirts and pale walls can draw them onto a porch the same way a light-colored car collects them on a commute through Lake Mary or along SR 436 in Altamonte Springs.
Cars, porches, and a fan
Acidic remains can etch paint and clog a radiator if they bake in the sun. A coat of wax gives the paint a barrier. Every few days, soak the front of the car with soap and water for about five minutes, then rinse.
They are weak fliers, so a porch fan moves them off a sitting area. If the flight is thick on your street, shift outdoor time toward the midday lull or after sunset.
Why a yard spray misses the swarm
A spray on one lawn misses a flight that keeps drifting in from roadsides and vacant lots. UF/IFAS treats lovebugs as a nuisance to live through for those few weeks: wash the car, wax the paint, and wait out the peak. Highway swarms sit outside a home service visit.
When the house needs a separate look
Lovebugs on the bumper need a car wash. When something is in the kitchen, attic, or a wall void, residential pest control starts with a walk along the foundation line.
Schedule an estimate if something besides the September flight is using the building in Lake Mary, Altamonte Springs, or nearby Seminole County.
Related reading: Fall yard cleanup and stinging insects · Florida seasonal pest guide · All service areas