Everywhere is full of love bugs... Just spraying 'this' makes them fall off quickly?

Love bugs (love insects, red-backed velvet worms) are causing a surge throughout the Seoul city center. Love bugs usually appear from early July, but following last year, this year they appeared earlier, with the population rapidly increasing from mid-June due to the hotter and more humid weather than usual. Experts have analyzed that the reason love bugs appear in swarms in the city every summer is because of their preference for exhaust gases, bright colors, and heat.

Professor Lee Dong-gyu, a distinguished professor in the Department of Public Health and Environment at Kosin University, explained on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' on the 24th that the reason for the rapid increase in the number of lovebugs is "due to a drought that prevented them from becoming adults, but after heavy rains two years ago, they experienced a population explosion," and added, "Humans have been using pesticides, which reduced natural predators, and climate warming has created a humid weather that is favorable for lovebugs to thrive." He continued, "Lovebugs lay their eggs in the decayed layer (the soil layer rich in organic matter), and the larvae hatch from the eggs and grow by feeding on the decayed layer," and explained, "They play a good role in the ecosystem by decomposing organic matter in the forest and turning it into fertilizer and nutrients that plants can use. Adult lovebugs are also a good food source for other insects and birds." Additionally, he mentioned that lovebugs are attracted to exhaust gases and heat from cars. The heat in urban areas is higher than in forests, causing them to frequently enter the city and attach to people's bodies.

Why do love bugs always travel in male-female pairs? Professor Lee Dong-gyu explained, "The male stays attached for 3 to 4 days to pass on its genes directly and to prevent other males from approaching." He added, "After detaching, the male dies within three days, and the female lays eggs immediately and dies within a week." Regarding population control methods, he said, "In parks or mountain areas, pesticides should not be sprayed because they can eliminate natural predators as well. It probably won't be a big problem in urban areas." He also mentioned, "Love bugs don't have much flying strength. If you spray water, they immediately fall to the ground. Using a hose to wash them off is also a good method." In urgent situations, spraying a sprayer can be effective. Since love bugs prefer bright colors, it's best to avoid white or yellow clothing.

Contrary to concerns, actual love bugs are not harmful to humans and are instead beneficial insects that help purify the environment. They are known to be non-toxic and do not transmit diseases or damage crops. In fact, they assist in pest control by eliminating ticks and contribute to environmental cleaning. Some may worry that they will reproduce by laying eggs through mating, but it takes about a year for love bugs to lay eggs and become adults. Therefore, the love bugs currently visible are expected to disappear within one to two weeks.