Gimpo City Actively Implements Eco-Friendly Lovebug Control Measures Even on Weekends

The City Implements Continuous Pest Control Measures
Plans to Expand Efforts Through a Cross-Departmental Approach

Gimpo City in Gyeonggi Province announced on the 30th that it has been actively implementing eco-friendly pest control measures throughout the city, both on weekdays and weekends, in response to a recent surge in lovebug occurrences that has caused ongoing inconvenience for residents. The city plans to expand these efforts through a cross-departmental approach.

Gimpo City has recently been actively engaged in eco-friendly control measures against the occurrence of lovebugs. A Gimpo City vehicle is controlling the pests by spraying water using a disinfection vehicle. Provided by Gimpo City.

Currently, the city is controlling the pests by spraying water around hills near urban areas and along the borders of residential zones. At the same time, the city is focusing on informing residents about immediate response measures they can take themselves.

The lovebug is a small insect with a red thorax and black wings that has seen mass outbreaks in recent years due to the effects of climate change. While lovebugs help fertilize the soil, serve as food for other insects, are non-toxic, and are not vectors for disease or classified as invasive species that disrupt ecosystems, their population surges in the summer have caused discomfort and hygiene issues for residents. As a result, the city will implement eco-friendly control measures on a limited basis for the time being.

The Gimpo City Public Health Center has advised residents on how to deal with lovebugs, including: installing screens on windows and checking drains to prevent lovebugs from entering homes; spraying water with a sprayer to remove lovebugs stuck to windows or glass; and placing sticky pads near lights to keep them from coming indoors.

Because lovebugs do not have a high survival rate, their numbers typically decrease sharply about two weeks after a mass appearance. Experts expect the lovebug population to decline rapidly around mid-July.